CFR 2009 Title29 Vol5 Sec1910 120

§ 1910.120 29 CFR Ch.
XVII (7–1–09 Edition)

11. ‘‘Loss Prevention in the Process Indus- ery Act of 1976 (RCRA) as amended (42
tries,’’ Volumes I and II; Frank P. Lees, U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);
Butterworth; London 1983.
12. ‘‘Safety and Health Program Manage-
(iii) Voluntary clean-up operations at
ment Guidelines,’’ 1989; U.S. Department of sites recognized by Federal, state, local
Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Ad- or other governmental bodies as uncon-
ministration. trolled hazardous waste sites;
13. ‘‘Safety and Health Guide for the Chem- (iv) Operations involving hazardous
ical Industry,’’ 1986, (OSHA 3091); U.S. De- wastes that are conducted at treat-
partment of Labor, Occupational Safety and
Health Administration; 200 Constitution Av-
ment, storage, and disposal (TSD) fa-
enue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. cilities regulated by 40 CFR parts 264
14. ‘‘Review of Emergency Systems,’’ June and 265 pursuant to RCRA; or by agen-
1988; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cies under agreement with U.S.E.P.A.
(EPA), Office of Solid Waste and Emergency to implement RCRA regulations; and
Response, Washington, DC 20460. (v) Emergency response operations
15. ‘‘Technical Guidance for Hazards Anal-
ysis, Emergency Planning for Extremely for releases of, or substantial threats of
Hazardous Substances,’’ December 1987; U.S. releases of, hazardous substances with-
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), out regard to the location of the haz-
Federal Emergency Management Adminis- ard.
tration (FEMA) and U.S. Department of (2) Application. (i) All requirements of
Transportation (DOT), Washington, DC 20460. part 1910 and part 1926 of title 29 of the
16. ‘‘Accident Investigation * * * A New
Approach,’’ 1983, National Safety Council; 444
Code of Federal Regulations apply pur-
North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611– suant to their terms to hazardous
3991. waste and emergency response oper-
17. ‘‘Fire & Explosion Index Hazard Classi- ations whether covered by this section
fication Guide,’’ 6th Edition, May 1987, Dow or not. If there is a conflict or overlap,
Chemical Company; Midland, Michigan 48674. the provision more protective of em-
18. ‘‘Chemical Exposure Index,’’ May 1988, ployee safety and health shall apply
Dow Chemical Company; Midland, Michigan
without regard to 29 CFR 1910.5(c)(1).
48674.
(ii) Hazardous substance clean-up op-
[57 FR 6403, Feb. 24, 1992; 57 FR 7847, Mar. 4, erations within the scope of paragraphs
1992, as amended at 61 FR 9238, Mar. 7, 1996;
(a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(iii) of this sec-
67 FR 67964, Nov. 7, 2002]
tion must comply with all paragraphs
§ 1910.120 Hazardous waste operations of this section except paragraphs (p)
and emergency response. and (q).
(a) Scope, application, and definitions— (iii) Operations within the scope of
(1) Scope. This section covers the fol- paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section
lowing operations, unless the employer must comply only with the require-
can demonstrate that the operation ments of paragraph (p) of this section.
does not involve employee exposure or Notes and Exceptions: (A) All provisions of
the reasonable possibility for employee paragraph (p) of this section cover any treat-
exposure to safety or health hazards: ment, storage or disposal (TSD) operation
(i) Clean-up operations required by a regulated by 40 CFR parts 264 and 265 or by
governmental body, whether Federal, state law authorized under RCRA, and re-
state, local or other involving haz- quired to have a permit or interim status
from EPA pursuant to 40 CFR 270.1 or from
ardous substances that are conducted
a state agency pursuant to RCRA.
at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites (B) Employers who are not required to
(including, but not limited to, the have a permit or interim status because they
EPA’s National Priority Site List are conditionally exempt small quantity
(NPL), state priority site lists, sites generators under 40 CFR 261.5 or are genera-
recommended for the EPA NPL, and tors who qualify under 40 CFR 262.34 for ex-
initial investigations of government emptions from regulation under 40 CFR parts
identified sites which are conducted be- 264, 265 and 270 (‘‘excepted employers’’) are
fore the presence or absence of haz- not covered by paragraphs (p)(1) through
(p)(7) of this section. Excepted employers
ardous substances has been
cprice-sewell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with CFR
who are required by the EPA or state agency

ascertained); to have their employees engage in emer-
(ii) Corrective actions involving gency response or who direct their employ-
clean-up operations at sites covered by ees to engage in emergency response are cov-
the Resource Conservation and Recov- ered by paragraph (p)(8) of this section, and
368
VerDate Nov<24>2008 13:35 Aug 19, 2009 Jkt 217113 PO 00000 Frm 00378 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8002 Y:\SGML\217113.XXX 217113
Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor § 1910.120
cannot be exempted by (p)(8)(i) of this sec- time of release by employees in the im-
tion. Excepted employers who are not re- mediate release area, or by mainte-
quired to have employees engage in emer- nance personnel are not considered to
gency response, who direct their employees
to evacuate in the case of such emergencies
be emergency responses within the
and who meet the requirements of paragraph scope of this standard. Responses to re-
(p)(8)(i) of this section are exempt from the leases of hazardous substances where
balance of paragraph (p)(8) of this section. there is no potential safety or health
(C) If an area is used primarily for treat- hazard (i.e., fire, explosion, or chemical
ment, storage or disposal, any emergency re- exposure) are not considered to be
sponse operations in that area shall comply emergency responses.
with paragraph (p)(8) of this section. In other
Facility means (A) any building,
areas not used primarily for treatment, stor-
age, or disposal, any emergency response op- structure, installation, equipment, pipe
erations shall comply with paragraph (q) of or pipeline (including any pipe into a
this section. Compliance with the require- sewer or publicly owned treatment
ments of paragraph (q) of this section shall works), well, pit, pond, lagoon, im-
be deemed to be in compliance with the re- poundment, ditch, storage container,
quirements of paragraph (p)(8) of this sec- motor vehicle, rolling stock, or air-
tion. craft, or (B) any site or area where a
(iv) Emergency response operations hazardous substance has been depos-
for releases of, or substantial threats of ited, stored, disposed of, or placed, or
releases of, hazardous substances which otherwise come to be located; but does
are not covered by paragraphs (a)(1)(i) not include any consumer product in
through (a)(1)(iv) of this section must consumer use or any water-borne ves-
only comply with the requirements of sel.
paragraph (q) of this section. Hazardous materials response
(3) Definitions—Buddy system means a (HAZMAT) team means an organized
system of organizing employees into group of employees, designated by the
work groups in such a manner that employer, who are expected to perform
each employee of the work group is work to handle and control actual or
designated to be observed by at least potential leaks or spills of hazardous
one other employee in the work group. substances requiring possible close ap-
The purpose of the buddy system is to proach to the substance. The team
provide rapid assistance to employees members perform responses to releases
in the event of an emergency. or potential releases of hazardous sub-
Clean-up operation means an oper- stances for the purpose of control or
ation where hazardous substances are stabilization of the incident. A
removed, contained, incinerated, neu- HAZMAT team is not a fire brigade nor
tralized, stabilized, cleared-up, or in is a typical fire brigade a HAZMAT
any other manner processed or handled team. A HAZMAT team, however, may
with the ultimate goal of making the be a separate component of a fire bri-
site safer for people or the environ- gade or fire department.
ment. Hazardous substance means any sub-
Decontamination means the removal stance designated or listed under para-
of hazardous substances from employ- graphs (A) through (D) of this defini-
ees and their equipment to the extent tion, exposure to which results or may
necessary to preclude the occurrence of result in adverse affects on the health
foreseeable adverse health affects. or safety of employees:
Emergency response or responding to (A) Any substance defined under sec-
emergencies means a response effort by tion 101(14) of CERCLA;
employees from outside the immediate (B) Any biological agent and other
release area or by other designated re- disease-causing agent which after re-
sponders (i.e., mutual-aid groups, local lease into the environment and upon
fire departments, etc.) to an occurrence exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or as-
which results, or is likely to result, in similation into any person, either di-
an uncontrolled release of a hazardous rectly from the environment or indi-
substance. Responses to incidental re- rectly by ingestion through food

leases of hazardous substances where chains, will or may reasonably be an-
the substance can be absorbed, neutral- ticipated to cause death, disease, be-
ized, or otherwise controlled at the havioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic
369
§ 1910.120 29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–09 Edition)
mutation, physiological malfunctions Permissible exposure limit means the

(including malfunctions in reproduc- exposure, inhalation or dermal permis-
tion) or physical deformations in such sible exposure limit specified in 29 CFR
persons or their offspring; part 1910, subparts G and Z.
(C) Any substance listed by the U.S. Published exposure level means the ex-
Department of Transportation as haz- posure limits published in ‘‘NIOSH
ardous materials under 49 CFR 172.101 Recommendations for Occupational
and appendices; and Health Standards’’ dated 1986, which is
(D) Hazardous waste as herein de- incorporated by reference as specified
fined. in § 1910.6 or if none is specified, the ex-
Hazardous waste means— posure limits published in the stand-
(A) A waste or combination of wastes ards specified by the American Con-
ference of Governmental Industrial Hy-
as defined in 40 CFR 261.3, or
gienists in their publication ‘‘Thresh-
(B) Those substances defined as haz-
old Limit Values and Biological Expo-
ardous wastes in 49 CFR 171.8.
sure Indices for 1987–88’’ dated 1987,
Hazardous waste operation means any which is incorporated by reference as
operation conducted within the scope specified in § 1910.6.
of this standard. Post emergency response means that
Hazardous waste site or Site means portion of an emergency response per-
any facility or location within the formed after the immediate threat of a
scope of this standard at which haz- release has been stabilized or elimi-
ardous waste operations take place. nated and clean-up of the site has
Health hazard means a chemical, mix- begun. If post emergency response is
ture of chemicals or a pathogen for performed by an employer’s own em-
which there is statistically significant ployees who were part of the initial
evidence based on at least one study emergency response, it is considered to
conducted in accordance with estab- be part of the initial response and not
lished scientific principles that acute post emergency response. However, if a
or chronic health effects may occur in group of an employer’s own employees,
exposed employees. The term ‘‘health separate from the group providing ini-
hazard’’ includes chemicals which are tial response, performs the clean-up op-
carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic eration, then the separate group of em-
agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, ployees would be considered to be per-
corrosives, sensitizers, heptaotoxins, forming post-emergency response and
nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents subject to paragraph (q)(11) of this sec-
which act on the hematopoietic sys- tion.
tem, and agents which damage the Qualified person means a person with
lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous mem- specific training, knowledge and expe-
branes. It also includes stress due to rience in the area for which the person
temperature extremes. Further defini- has the responsibility and the author-
tion of the terms used above can be ity to control.
found in appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.1200. Site safety and health supervisor (or of-
IDLH orImmediately dangerous to life ficial) means the individual located on
or health means an atmospheric con- a hazardous waste site who is respon-
centration of any toxic, corrosive or sible to the employer and has the au-
asphyxiant substance that poses an im- thority and knowledge necessary to
mediate threat to life or would cause implement the site safety and health
irreversible or delayed adverse health plan and verify compliance with appli-
effects or would interfere with an indi- cable safety and health requirements.
vidual’s ability to escape from a dan- Small quantity qenerator means a gen-
gerous atmosphere. erator of hazardous wastes who in any
Oxygen deficiency means that con- calendar month generates no more
centration of oxygen by volume below than 1,000 kilograms (2,205 pounds) of
which atmosphere supplying res- hazardous waste in that month.
piratory protection must be provided. Uncontrolled hazardous waste site,

It exists in atmospheres where the per- means an area identified as an uncon-
centage of oxygen by volume is less trolled hazardous waste site by a gov-
than 19.5 percent oxygen. ernmental body, whether Federal,
370
state, local or other where an accumu- to prevent accidental collapse in ac-

lation of hazardous substances creates cordance with subpart P of 29 CFR part
a threat to the health and safety of in- 1926.
dividuals or the environment or both. (iv) Contractors and sub-contractors.
Some sites are found on public lands An employer who retains contractor or
such as those created by former munic- sub-contractor services for work in
ipal, county or state landfills where il- hazardous waste operations shall in-
legal or poorly managed waste disposal form those contractors, sub-contrac-
has taken place. Other sites are found tors, or their representatives of the
on private property, often belonging to site emergency response procedures
generators or former generators of haz- and any potential fire, explosion,
ardous substance wastes. Examples of health, safety or other hazards of the
such sites include, but are not limited
hazardous waste operation that have
to, surface impoundments, landfills,
been identified by the employer, in-
dumps, and tank or drum farms. Nor-
cluding those identified in the employ-
mal operations at TSD sites are not
er’s information program.
covered by this definition.
(b) Safety and health program. (v) Program availability. The written
safety and health program shall be
NOTE TO (b): Safety and health programs made available to any contractor or
developed and implemented to meet other
subcontractor or their representative
Federal, state, or local regulations are con-
sidered acceptable in meeting this require- who will be involved with the haz-
ment if they cover or are modified to cover ardous waste operation; to employees;
the topics required in this paragraph. An ad- to employee designated representa-
ditional or separate safety and health pro- tives; to OSHA personnel, and to per-
gram is not required by this paragraph. sonnel of other Federal, state, or local
(1) General. (i) Employers shall de- agencies with regulatory authority
velop and implement a written safety over the site.
and health program for their employ- (2) Organizational structure part of the
ees involved in hazardous waste oper- site program—(i) The organizationa1
ations. The program shall be designed structure part of the program shall es-
to identify, evaluate, and control safe- tablish the specific chain of command
ty and health hazards, and provide for and specify the overall responsibilities
emergency response for hazardous of supervisors and employees. It shall
waste operations. include, at a minimum, the following
(ii) The written safety and health elements:
program shall incorporate the fol- (A) A general supervisor who has the
lowing: responsibility and authority to direct
(A) An organizational structure; all hazardous waste operations.
(B) A comprehensive workplan; (B) A site safety and health super-
(C) A site-specific safety and health visor who has the responsibility and
plan which need not repeat the employ- authority to develop and implement
er’s standard operating procedures re- the site safety and health plan and
quired in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(F) of this verify compliance.
section;
(C) All other personnel needed for
(D) The safety and health training
hazardous waste site operations and
program;
emergency response and their general
(E) The medical surveillance pro-
gram; functions and responsibilities.
(F) The employer’s standard oper- (D) The lines of authority, responsi-
ating procedures for safety and health; bility, and communication.
and (ii) The organizational structure
(G) Any necessary interface between shall be reviewed and updated as nec-
general program and site specific ac- essary to reflect the current status of
tivities. waste site operations.
(iii) Site excavation. Site excavations (3) Comprehensive workplan part of the
created during initial site preparation site program. The comprehensive
or during hazardous waste operations workplan part of the program shall ad-
shall be shored or sloped as appropriate dress the tasks and objectives of the
371
site operations and the logistics and re- tion of monitoring and sampling equip-
sources required to reach those tasks ment to be used.
and objectives. (F) Site control measures in accord-
(i) The comprehensive workplan shall ance with the site control program re-
address anticipated clean-up activities quired in paragraph (d) of this section.
as well as normal operating procedures (G) Decontamination procedures in
which need not repeat the employer’s accordance with paragraph (k) of this
procedures available elsewhere. section.
(ii) The comprehensive workplan (H) An emergency response plan
shall define work tasks and objectives meeting the requirements of paragraph
and identify the methods for accom- (l) of this section for safe and effective
plishing those tasks and objectives. responses to emergencies, including
(iii) The comprehensive workplan the necessary PPE and other equip-
shall establish personnel requirements ment.
for implementing the plan. (I) Confined space entry procedures.
(iv) The comprehensive workplan (J) A spill containment program
shall provide for the implementation of meeting the requirements of paragraph
the training required in paragraph (e) (j) of this section.
of this section. (iii) Pre-entry briefing. The site spe-
(v) The comprehensive workplan cific safety and health plan shall pro-
shall provide for the implementation of vide for pre-entry briefings to be held
the required informational programs prior to initiating any site activity,
required in paragraph (i) of this sec- and at such other times as necessary to
tion. ensure that employees are apprised of
(vi) The comprehensive workplan the site safety and health plan and
shall provide for the implementation of that this plan is being followed. The in-
the medical surveillance program de- formation and data obtained from site
scribed in paragraph (f) of this section. characterization and analysis work re-
(4) Site-specific safety and health plan quired in paragraph (c) of this section
part of the program—(i) General. The site shall be used to prepare and update the
safety and health plan, which must be site safety and health plan.
kept on site, shall address the safety (iv) Effectiveness of site safety and
and health hazards of each phase of site health plan. Inspections shall be con-
operation and include the requirements ducted by the site safety and health su-
and procedures for employee protec- pervisor or, in the absence of that indi-
tion. vidual, another individual who is
(ii) Elements. The site safety and knowledgeable in occupational safety
health plan, as a minimum, shall ad- and health, acting on behalf of the em-
dress the following: ployer as necessary to determine the
(A) A safety and health risk or haz- effectiveness of the site safety and
ard analysis for each site task and op- health plan. Any deficiencies in the ef-
eration found in the workplan. fectiveness of the site safety and
(B) Employee training assignments health plan shall be corrected by the
to assure compliance with paragraph employer.
(e) of this section. (c) Site characterization and analysis—
(C) Personal protective equipment to (1) General. Hazardous waste sites shall
be used by employees for each of the be evaluated in accordance with this
site tasks and operations being con- paragraph to identify specific site haz-
ducted as required by the personal pro- ards and to determine the appropriate
tective equipment program in para- safety and health control procedures
graph (g)(5) of this section. needed to protect employees from the
(D) Medical surveillance require- identified hazards.
ments in accordance with the program (2) Preliminary evaluation. A prelimi-
in paragraph (f) of this section. nary evaluation of a site’s characteris-
(E) Frequency and types of air moni- tics shall be performed prior to site
toring, personnel monitoring, and envi- entry by a qualified person in order to

ronmental sampling techniques and in- aid in the selection of appropriate em-
strumentation to be used, including ployee protection methods prior to site
methods of maintenance and calibra- entry. Immediately after initial site
372
entry, a more detailed evaluation of permissible exposure limits and pub-

the site’s specific characteristics shall lished exposure levels for known or sus-
be performed by a qualified person in pected hazardous substances and
order to further identify existing site health hazards, and which will provide
hazards and to further aid in the selec- protection against other known and
tion of the appropriate engineering suspected hazards identified during the
controls and personal protective equip- preliminary site evaluation. If there is
ment for the tasks to be performed. no permissible exposure limit or pub-
(3) Hazard identification. All suspected lished exposure level, the employer
conditions that may pose inhalation or may use other published studies and in-
skin absorption hazards that are imme- formation as a guide to appropriate
diately dangerous to life or health personal protective equipment.
(IDLH), or other conditions that may
(ii) If positive-pressure self-contained
cause death or serious harm, shall be
breathing apparatus is not used as part
identified during the preliminary sur-
of the entry ensemble, and if res-
vey and evaluated during the detailed
piratory protection is warranted by the
survey. Examples of such hazards in-
clude, but are not limited to, confined potential hazards identified during the
space entry, potentially explosive or preliminary site evaluation, an escape
flammable situations, visible vapor self-contained breathing apparatus of
clouds, or areas where biological indi- at least five minute’s duration shall be
cators such as dead animals or vegeta- carried by employees during initial site
tion are located. entry.
(4) Required information. The fol- (iii) If the preliminary site evalua-
lowing information to the extent avail- tion does not produce sufficient infor-
able shall be obtained by the employer mation to identify the hazards or sus-
prior to allowing employees to enter a pected hazards of the site, an ensemble
site: providing protection equivalent to
(i) Location and approximate size of Level B PPE shall be provided as min-
the site. imum protection, and direct reading
(ii) Description of the response activ- instruments shall be used as appro-
ity and/or the job task to be performed. priate for identifying IDLH conditions.
(iii) Duration of the planned em- (See appendix B for a description of
ployee activity. Level B hazards and the recommenda-
(iv) Site topography and accessibility tions for Level B protective equip-
by air and roads. ment.)
(v) Safety and health hazards ex- (iv) Once the hazards of the site have
pected at the site. been identified, the appropriate PPE
(vi) Pathways for hazardous sub- shall be selected and used in accord-
stance dispersion. ance with paragraph (g) of this section.
(vii) Present status and capabilities
(6) Monitoring. The following moni-
of emergency response teams that
toring shall be conducted during initial
would provide assistance to hazardous
site entry when the site evaluation
waste clean-up site employees at the
time of an emergency. produces information that shows the
(viii) Hazardous substances and potential for ionizing radiation or
health hazards involved or expected at IDLH conditions, or when the site in-
the site, and their chemical and phys- formation is not sufficient reasonably
ical properties. to eliminate these possible conditions:
(5) Personal protective equipment. Per- (i) Monitoring with direct reading in-
sonal protective equipment (PPE) shall struments for hazardous levels of ion-
be provided and used during initial site izing radiation.
entry in accordance with the following (ii) Monitoring the air with appro-
requirements: priate direct reading test equipment
(i) Based upon the results of the pre- (i.e., combustible gas meters, detector
liminary site evaluation, an ensemble tubes) for IDLH and other conditions
of PPE shall be selected and used dur- that may cause death or serious harm
ing initial site entry which will provide (combustible or explosive atmospheres,
protection to a level of exposure below oxygen deficiency, toxic substances).
373
(iii) Visually observing for signs of (3) Elements of the site control program.
actual or potential IDLH or other dan- The site control program shall, as a
gerous conditions. minimum, include: A site map; site
(iv) An ongoing air monitoring pro- work zones; the use of a ‘‘buddy sys-
gram in accordance with paragraph (h) tem’’; site communications including
of this section shall be implemented alerting means for emergencies; the
after site characterization has deter- standard operating procedures or safe
mined the site is safe for the start-up work practices; and, identification of
of operations. the nearest medical assistance. Where
(7) Risk identification. Once the pres- these requirements are covered else-
ence and concentrations of specific where they need not be repeated.
hazardous substances and health haz- (e) Training—(1) General. (i) All em-
ards have been established, the risks ployees working on site (such as but
associated with these substances shall not limited to equipment operators,
be identified. Employees who will be general laborers and others) exposed to
working on the site shall be informed hazardous substances, health hazards,
of any risks that have been identified. or safety hazards and their supervisors
In situations covered by the Hazard and management responsible for the
Communication Standard, 29 CFR site shall receive training meeting the
1910.1200, training required by that requirements of this paragraph before
standard need not be duplicated. they are permitted to engage in haz-
ardous waste operations that could ex-
NOTE TO PARAGRAPH (c)(7). Risks to con-
sider include, but are not limited to:
pose them to hazardous substances,
(a) Exposures exceeding the permissible ex- safety, or health hazards, and they
posure limits and published exposure levels. shall receive review training as speci-
(b) IDLH concentrations. fied in this paragraph.
(c) Potential skin absorption and irritation (ii) Employees shall not be permitted
sources. to participate in or supervise field ac-
(d) Potential eye irritation sources. tivities until they have been trained to
(e) Explosion sensitivity and flammability a level required by their job function
ranges. and responsibility.
(f) Oxygen deficiency.
(2) Elements to be covered. The train-
(8) Employee notification. Any infor- ing shall thoroughly cover the fol-
mation concerning the chemical, phys- lowing:
ical, and toxicologic properties of each (i) Names of personnel and alternates
substance known or expected to be responsible for site safety and health;
present on site that is available to the (ii) Safety, health and other hazards
employer and relevant to the duties an present on the site;
employee is expected to perform shall (iii) Use of personal protective equip-
be made available to the affected em- ment;
ployees prior to the commencement of (iv) Work practices by which the em-
their work activities. The employer ployee can minimize risks from haz-
may utilize information developed for ards;
the hazard communication standard for (v) Safe use of engineering controls
this purpose. and equipment on the site;
(d) Site control—(1) General. Appro- (vi) Medical surveillance require-
priate site control procedures shall be ments, including recognition of symp-
implemented to control employee expo- toms and signs which might indicate
sure to hazardous substances before overexposure to hazards; and
clean-up work begins. (vii) The contents of paragraphs (G)
(2) Site control program. A site control through (J) of the site safety and
program for protecting employees health plan set forth in paragraph
which is part of the employer’s site (b)(4)(ii) of this section.
safety and health program required in (3) Initial training. (i) General site
paragraph (b) of this section shall be workers (such as equipment operators,
developed during the planning stages of general laborers and supervisory per-
a hazardous waste clean-up operation sonnel) engaged in hazardous substance
and modified as necessary as new infor- removal or other activities which ex-
mation becomes available. pose or potentially expose workers to
374
hazardous substances and health haz- tainment program, and health hazard
ards shall receive a minimum of 40 monitoring procedure and techniques.
hours of instruction off the site, and a (5) Qualifications for trainers. Trainers
minimum of three days actual field ex- shall be qualified to instruct employees
perience under the direct supervision of about the subject matter that is being
a trained, experienced supervisor. presented in training. Such trainers
(ii) Workers on site only occasionally shall have satisfactorily completed a
for a specific limited task (such as, but training program for teaching the sub-
not limited to, ground water moni- jects they are expected to teach, or
toring, land surveying, or geo-physical they shall have the academic creden-
surveying) and who are unlikely to be tials and instructional experience nec-
exposed over permissible exposure lim- essary for teaching the subjects. In-
its and published exposure limits shall structors shall demonstrate competent
receive a minimum of 24 hours of in- instructional skills and knowledge of
struction off the site, and the min- the applicable subject matter.
imum of one day actual field experi- (6) Training certification. Employees
ence under the direct supervision of a and supervisors that have received and
trained, experienced supervisor. successfully completed the training
(iii) Workers regularly on site who and field experience specified in para-
work in areas which have been mon- graphs (e)(1) through (e)(4) of this sec-
itored and fully characterized indi- tion shall be certified by their instruc-
cating that exposures are under per- tor or the head instructor and trained
supervisor as having successfully com-
missible exposure limits and published
pleted the necessary training. A writ-
exposure limits where respirators are
ten certificate shall be given to each
not necessary, and the characterization
person so certified. Any person who has
indicates that there are no health haz-
not been so certified or who does not
ards or the possibility of an emergency
meet the requirements of paragraph
developing, shall receive a minimum of
(e)(9) of this section shall be prohibited
24 hours of instruction off the site and
from engaging in hazardous waste oper-
the minimum of one day actual field
ations.
experience under the direct supervision
(7) Emergency response. Employees
of a trained, experienced supervisor.
who are engaged in responding to haz-
(iv) Workers with 24 hours of training ardous emergency situations at haz-
who are covered by paragraphs (e)(3)(ii) ardous waste clean-up sites that may
and (e)(3)(iii) of this section, and who expose them to hazardous substances
become general site workers or who are shall be trained in how to respond to
required to wear respirators, shall have such expected emergencies.
the additional 16 hours and two days of (8) Refresher training. Employees spec-
training necessary to total the training ified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section,
specified in paragraph (e)(3)(i). and managers and supervisors specified
(4) Management and supervisor train- in paragraph (e)(4) of this section, shall
ing. On-site management and super- receive eight hours of refresher train-
visors directly responsible for, or who ing annually on the items specified in
supervise employees engaged in, haz- paragraph (e)(2) and/or (e)(4) of this
ardous waste operations shall receive section, any critique of incidents that
40 hours initial training, and three have occurred in the past year that can
days of supervised field experience (the serve as training examples of related
training may be reduced to 24 hours work, and other relevant topics.
and one day if the only area of their re- (9) Equivalent training. Employers
sponsibility is employees covered by who can show by documentation or cer-
paragraphs (e)(3)(ii) and (e)(3)(iii)) and tification that an employee’s work ex-
at least eight additional hours of spe- perience and/or training has resulted in
cialized training at the time of job as- training equivalent to that training re-
signment on such topics as, but not quired in paragraphs (e)(1) through
limited to, the employer’s safety and (e)(4) of this section shall not be re-
health program and the associated em- quired to provide the initial training
ployee training program, personal pro- requirements of those paragraphs to
tective equipment program, spill con- such employees and shall provide a
375
copy of the certification or documenta- (C) At termination of employment or

tion to the employee upon request. reassignment to an area where the em-
However, certified employees or employee would not be covered if the em-
ployees with equivalent training new ployee has not had an examination
to a site shall receive appropriate, site within the last six months;
specific training before site entry and (D) As soon as possible upon notifica-
have appropriate supervised field expe- tion by an employee that the employee
rience at the new site. Equivalent has developed signs or symptoms indi-
training includes any academic train- cating possible overexposure to haz-
ing or the training that existing em- ardous substances or health hazards, or
ployees might have already received that the employee has been injured or
from actual hazardous waste site work exposed above the permissible exposure
experience. limits or published exposure levels in
(f) Medical surveillance—(1) General. an emergency situation;
Employers engaged in operations speci- (E) At more frequent times, if the ex-
fied in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through amining physician determines that an
(a)(1)(iv) of this section and not cov- increased frequency of examination is
ered by (a)(2)(iii) exceptions and em- medically necessary.
ployers of employees specified in para- (ii) For employees covered under
graph (q)(9) shall institute a medical paragraph (f)(2)(iii) and for all employ-
surveillance program in accordance ees including those of employers cov-
with this paragraph. ered by paragraph (a)(1)(v) who may
(2) Employees covered. The medical have been injured, received a health
surveillance program shall be insti- impairment, developed signs or symp-
tuted by the employer for the following toms which may have resulted from ex-
employees: posure to hazardous substances result-
(i) All employees who are or may be ing from an emergency incident, or ex-
exposed to hazardous substances or posed during an emergency incident to
health hazards at or above the permis- hazardous substances at concentra-
sible exposure limits or, if there is no tions above the permissible exposure
permissible exposure limit, above the limits or the published exposure levels
published exposure levels for these sub- without the necessary personal protec-
stances, without regard to the use of tive equipment being used:
respirators, for 30 days or more a year; (A) As soon as possible following the
(ii) All employees who wear a res- emergency incident or development of
pirator for 30 days or more a year or as signs or symptoms;
required by § 1910.134; (B) At additional times, if the exam-
(iii) All employees who are injured, ining physician determines that follow-
become ill or develop signs or symp- up examinations or consultations are
toms due to possible overexposure in- medically necessary.
volving hazardous substances or health (4) Content of medical examinations and
hazards from an emergency response or consultations. (i) Medical examinations
hazardous waste operation; and required by paragraph (f)(3) of this sec-
(iv) Members of HAZMAT teams. tion shall include a medical and work
(3) Frequency of medical examinations history (or updated history if one is in
and consultations. Medical examina- the employee’s file) with special em-
tions and consultations shall be made phasis on symptoms related to the han-
available by the employer to each em- dling of hazardous substances and
ployee covered under paragraph (f)(2) of health hazards, and to fitness for duty
this section on the following schedules: including the ability to wear any re-
(i) For employees covered under quired PPE under conditions (i.e., tem-
paragraphs (f)(2)(i), (f)(2)(ii), and perature extremes) that may be ex-
(f)(2)(iv): pected at the work site.
(A) Prior to assignment; (ii) The content of medical examina-
(B) At least once every twelve tions or consultations made available
months for each employee covered un- to employees pursuant to paragraph (f)
less the attending physician believes a shall be determined by the attending
longer interval (not greater than bien- physician. The guidelines in the Occu-
nially) is appropriate; pational Safety and Health Guidance
376
Manual for Hazardous Waste Site Activi- findings or diagnoses unrelated to oc-
ties (See appendix D, Reference #10) cupational exposures.
should be consulted. (8) Recordkeeping. (i) An accurate
(5) Examination by a physician and record of the medical surveillance re-
costs. All medical examinations and quired by paragraph (f) of this section
procedures shall be performed by or shall be retained. This record shall be
under the supervision of a licensed phy- retained for the period specified and
sician, preferably one knowledgeable in meet the criteria of 29 CFR 1910.1020.
occupational medicine, and shall be (ii) The record required in paragraph
provided without cost to the employee, (f)(8)(i) of this section shall include at
without loss of pay, and at a reason- least the following information:
able time and place. (A) The name and social security
(6) Information provided to the physi- number of the employee;
cian. The employer shall provide one (B) Physician’s written opinions, rec-
copy of this standard and its appen- ommended limitations, and results of
dices to the attending physician, and in examinations and tests;
addition the following for each em- (C) Any employee medical com-
ployee: plaints related to exposure to haz-
(i) A description of the employee’s ardous substances;
duties as they relate to the employee’s (D) A copy of the information pro-
exposures.
vided to the examining physician by
(ii) The employee’s exposure levels or the employer, with the exception of the
anticipated exposure levels. standard and its appendices.
(iii) A description of any personal (g) Engineering controls, work prac-
protective equipment used or to be tices, and personal protective equipment
used. for employee protection. Engineering
(iv) Information from previous med- controls, work practices, personal pro-
ical examinations of the employee tective equipment, or a combination of
which is not readily available to the these shall be implemented in accord-
examining physician. ance with this paragraph to protect
(v) Information required by § 1910.134. employees from exposure to hazardous
(7) Physician’s written opinion. (i) The substances and safety and health haz-
employer shall obtain and furnish the ards.
employee with a copy of a written (1) Engineering controls, work practices
opinion from the attending physician and PPE for substances regulated in sub-
containing the following: parts G and Z. (i) Engineering controls
(A) The physician’s opinion as to and work practices shall be instituted
whether the employee has any detected to reduce and maintain employee expo-
medical conditions which would place sure to or below the permissible expo-
the employee at increased risk of ma- sure limits for substances regulated by
terial impairment of the employee’s 29 CFR part 1910, to the extent required
health from work in hazardous waste by subpart Z, except to the extent that
operations or emergency response, or such controls and practices are not fea-
from respirator use. sible.
(B) The physician’s recommended
limitations upon the employee’s as- NOTE TO PARAGRAPH (g)(1)(i): Engineering
controls which may be feasible include the
signed work.
use of pressurized cabs or control booths on
(C) The results of the medical exam- equipment, and/or the use of remotely oper-
ination and tests if requested by the ated material handling equipment. Work
employee. practices which may be feasible are remov-
(D) A statement that the employee ing all non-essential employees from poten-
has been informed by the physician of tial exposure during opening of drums, wet-
the results of the medical examination ting down dusty operations and locating em-
ployees upwind of possible hazards.
and any medical conditions which re-
quire further examination or treat- (ii) Whenever engineering controls

ment. and work practices are not feasible or
(ii) The written opinion obtained by not required, any reasonable combina-
the employer shall not reveal specific tion of engineering controls, work
377
practices and PPE shall be used to re- (iv) Totally-encapsulating chemical

duce and maintain employee exposures protective suits (protection equivalent
to or below the permissible exposure to Level A protection as recommended
limits or dose limits for substances in appendix B) shall be used in condi-
regulated by 29 CFR part 1910, subpart tions where skin absorption of a haz-
Z. ardous substance may result in a sub-
(iii) The employer shall not imple- stantial possibility of immediate
ment a schedule of employee rotation death, immediate serious illness or in-
as a means of compliance with permis- jury, or impair the ability to escape.
sible exposure limits or dose limits ex- (v) The level of protection provided
cept when there is no other feasible by PPE selection shall be increased
way of complying with the airborne or when additional information on site
dermal dose limits for ionizing radi- conditions indicates that increased
ation. protection is necessary to reduce em-
(iv) The provisions of 29 CFR, subpart ployee exposures below permissible ex-
G, shall be followed. posure limits and published exposure
(2) Engineering controls, work practices, levels for hazardous substances and
and PPE for substances not regulated in health hazards. (See appendix B for
subparts G and Z. An appropriate com- guidance on selecting PPE ensembles.)
bination of engineering controls, work
NOTE TO PARAGRAPH (g)(3): The level of em-
practices and personal protective
ployee protection provided may be decreased
equipment shall be used to reduce and when additional information or site condi-
maintain employee exposure to or tions show that decreased protection will not
below published exposure levels for result in hazardous exposures to employees.
hazardous substances and health haz-
ards not regulated by 29 CFR part 1910, (vi) Personal protective equipment
subparts G and Z. The employer may shall be selected and used to meet the
use the published literature and MSDS requirements of 29 CFR part 1910, sub-
as a guide in making the employer’s part I, and additional requirements
determination as to what level of pro- specified in this section.
tection the employer believes is appro- (4) Totally-encapsulating chemical pro-
priate for hazardous substances and tective suits. (i) Totally-encapsulating
health hazards for which there is no suits shall protect employees from the
permissible exposure limit or published particular hazards which are identified
exposure limit. during site characterization and anal-
(3) Personal protective equipment selec- ysis.
tion. (i) Personal protective equipment (ii) Totally-encapsulating suits shall
(PPE) shall be selected and used which be capable of maintaining positive air
will protect employees from the haz- pressure. (See appendix A for a test
ards and potential hazards they are method which may be used to evaluate
likely to encounter as identified during this requirement.)
the site characterization and analysis. (iii) Totally-encapsulating suits shall
(ii) Personal protective equipment be capable of preventing inward test
selection shall be based on an evalua- gas leakage of more than 0.5 percent.
tion of the performance characteristics (See appendix A for a test method
of the PPE relative to the require- which may be used to evaluate this re-
ments and limitations of the site, the quirement.)
task-specific conditions and duration, (5) Personal protective equipment (PPE)
and the hazards and potential hazards program. A written personal protective
identified at the site. equipment program, which is part of
(iii) Positive pressure self-contained the employer’s safety and health pro-
breathing apparatus, or positive pres- gram required in paragraph (b) of this
sure air-line respirators equipped with section or required in paragraph (p)(1)
an escape air supply, shall be used of this section and which is also a part
when chemical exposure levels present of the site-specific safety and health
will create a substantial possibility of plan shall be established. The PPE pro-
immediate death, immediate serious gram shall address the elements listed
illness or injury, or impair the ability below. When elements, such as donning
to escape. and doffing procedures, are provided by
378
the manufacturer of a piece of equip- sure limits or published exposure levels

ment and are attached to the plan, since prior monitoring. Situations
they need not be rewritten into the where it shall be considered whether
plan as long as they adequately address the possibility that exposures have
the procedure or element. risen are as follows:
(i) PPE selection based upon site haz- (i) When work begins on a different
ards, portion of the site.
(ii) PPE use and limitations of the (ii) When contaminants other than
equipment, those previously identified are being
(iii) Work mission duration, handled.
(iv) PPE maintenance and storage, (iii) When a different type of oper-
(v) PPE decontamination and dis- ation is initiated (e.g., drum opening as
posal, opposed to exploratory well drilling).
(vi) PPE training and proper fitting, (iv) When employees are handling
(vii) PPE donning and doffing proce- leaking drums or containers or work-
dures, ing in areas with obvious liquid con-
(viii) PPE inspection procedures tamination (e.g., a spill or lagoon).
prior to, during, and after use, (4) Monitoring of high-risk employees.
(ix) Evaluation of the effectiveness of After the actual clean-up phase of any
the PPE program, and hazardous waste operation commences;
(x) Limitations during temperature for example, when soil, surface water
extremes, heat stress, and other appro- or containers are moved or disturbed;
priate medical considerations. the employer shall monitor those em-
(h) Monitoring—(1) General. (i) Moni- ployees likely to have the highest ex-
toring shall be performed in accord- posures to hazardous substances and
ance with this paragraph where there health hazards likely to be present
may be a question of employee expo- above permissible exposure limits or
sure to hazardous concentrations of published exposure levels by using per-
hazardous substances in order to assure sonal sampling frequently enough to
proper selection of engineering con- characterize employee exposures. If the
trols, work practices and personal pro- employees likely to have the highest
tective equipment so that employees exposure are over permissible exposure
are not exposed to levels which exceed limits or published exposure limits,
permissible exposure limits, or pub- then monitoring shall continue to de-
lished exposure levels if there are no termine all employees likely to be
permissible exposure limits, for haz- above those limits. The employer may
ardous substances. utilize a representative sampling ap-
(ii) Air monitoring shall be used to proach by documenting that the em-
identify and quantify airborne levels of ployees and chemicals chosen for moni-
hazardous substances and safety and toring are based on the criteria stated
health hazards in order to determine above.
the appropriate level of employee pro-
tection needed on site. NOTE TO PARAGRAPH (h): It is not required
(2) Initial entry. Upon initial entry, to monitor employees engaged in site char-
representative air monitoring shall be acterization operations covered by paragraph
(c) of this section.
conducted to identify any IDLH condi-
tion, exposure over permissible expo- (i) Informational programs. Employers
sure limits or published exposure lev- shall develop and implement a pro-
els, exposure over a radioactive mate- gram, which is part of the employer’s
rial’s dose limits or other dangerous safety and health program required in
condition such as the presence of flam- paragraph (b) of this section, to inform
mable atmospheres or oxygen-deficient employees, contractors, and sub-
environments. contractors (or their representative)
(3) Periodic monitoring. Periodic moni- actually engaged in hazardous waste
toring shall be conducted when the pos- operations of the nature, level and de-
sibility of an IDLH condition or flam- gree of exposure likely as a result of

mable atmosphere has developed or participation in such hazardous waste
when there is indication that exposures operations. Employees, contractors and
may have risen over permissible expo- subcontractors working outside of the
379
operations part of a site are not cov- tion and depth of buried drums or con-
ered by this standard. tainers.
(j) Handling drums and containers—(1) (xi) Soil or covering material shall be
General. (i) Hazardous substances and removed with caution to prevent drum
contaminated soils, liquids, and other or container rupture.
residues shall be handled, transported, (xii) Fire extinguishing equipment
labeled, and disposed of in accordance meeting the requirements of 29 CFR
with this paragraph. part 1910, subpart L, shall be on hand
(ii) Drums and containers used dur- and ready for use to control incipient
ing the clean-up shall meet the appro- fires.
priate DOT, OSHA, and EPA regula- (2) Opening drums and containers. The
tions for the wastes that they contain. following procedures shall be followed
(iii) When practical, drums and con- in areas where drums or containers are
tainers shall be inspected and their in- being opened:
tegrity shall be assured prior to being (i) Where an airline respirator system
moved. Drums or containers that can- is used, connections to the source of air
not be inspected before being moved supply shall be protected from con-
because of storage conditions (i.e., bur- tamination and the entire system shall
ied beneath the earth, stacked behind be protected from physical damage.
other drums, stacked several tiers high (ii) Employees not actually involved
in a pile, etc.) shall be moved to an ac- in opening drums or containers shall be
cessible location and inspected prior to kept a safe distance from the drums or
further handling. containers being opened.
(iv) Unlabelled drums and containers (iii) If employees must work near or
shall be considered to contain haz- adjacent to drums or containers being
ardous substances and handled accord- opened, a suitable shield that does not
ingly until the contents are positively interfere with the work operation shall
identified and labeled. be placed between the employee and
(v) Site operations shall be organized the drums or containers being opened
to minimize the amount of drum or to protect the employee in case of acci-
container movement. dental explosion.
(vi) Prior to movement of drums or (iv) Controls for drum or container
containers, all employees exposed to opening equipment, monitoring equip-
the transfer operation shall be warned ment, and fire suppression equipment
of the potential hazards associated shall be located behind the explosion-
with the contents of the drums or con- resistant barrier.
tainers. (v) When there is a reasonable possi-
(vii) U.S. Department of Transpor- bility of flammable atmospheres being
tation specified salvage drums or con- present, material handling equipment
tainers and suitable quantities of prop- and hand tools shall be of the type to
er absorbent shall be kept available prevent sources of ignition.
and used in areas where spills, leaks, or (vi) Drums and containers shall be
ruptures may occur. opened in such a manner that excess
(viii) Where major spills may occur, a interior pressure will be safely re-
spill containment program, which is lieved. If pressure can not be relieved
part of the employer’s safety and from a remote location, appropriate
health program required in paragraph shielding shall be placed between the
(b) of this section, shall be imple- employee and the drums or containers
mented to contain and isolate the en- to reduce the risk of employee injury.
tire volume of the hazardous substance (vii) Employees shall not stand upon
being transferred. or work from drums or containers.
(ix) Drums and containers that can- (3) Material handling equipment. Mate-
not be moved without rupture, leakage, rial handiing equipment used to trans-
or spillage shall be emptied into a fer drums and containers shall be se-
sound container using a device classi- lected, positioned and operated to min-
fied for the material being transferred. imize sources of ignition related to the
(x) A ground-penetrating system or equipment from igniting vapors re-
other type of detection system or de- leased from ruptured drums or con-
vice shall be used to estimate the loca- tainers.
380
(4) Radioactive wastes. Drums and con- in handling laboratory waste packs
tainers containing radioactive wastes (lab packs):
shall not be handled until such time as (i) Lab packs shall be opened only
their hazard to employees is properly when necessary and then only by an in-
assessed. dividual knowledgeable in the inspec-
(5) Shock sensitive wastes. As a min- tion, classification, and segregation of
imum, the following special pre- the containers within the pack accord-
cautions shall be taken when drums ing to the hazards of the wastes.
and containers containing or suspected (ii) If crystalline material is noted on
of containing shock-sensitive wastes any container, the contents shall be
are handled: handled as a shock-sensitive waste
(i) All non-essential employees shall until the contents are identified.
be evacuated from the area of transfer. (7) Sampling of drum and container
(ii) Material handling equipment contents. Sampling of containers and
shall be provided with explosive con- drums shall be done in accordance with
tainment devices or protective shields a sampling procedure which is part of
to protect equipment operators from the site safety and health plan devel-
exploding containers. oped for and available to employees
(iii) An employee alarm system capa- and others at the specific worksite.
ble of being perceived above sur-
(8) Shipping and transport. (i) Drums
rounding light and noise conditions
and containers shall be identified and
shall be used to signal the commence-
classified prior to packaging for ship-
ment and completion of explosive
ment.
waste handling activities.
(ii) Drum or container staging areas
(iv) Continuous communications (i.e.,
portable radios, hand signals, tele- shall be kept to the minimum number
phones, as appropriate) shall be main- necessary to identify and classify ma-
tained between the employee-in-charge terials safely and prepare them for
of the immediate handling area and transport.
both the site safety and health super- (iii) Staging areas shall be provided
visor and the command post until such with adequate access and egress routes.
time as the handling operation is com- (iv) Bulking of hazardous wastes
pleted. Communication equipment or shall be permitted only after a thor-
methods that could cause shock sen- ough characterization of the materials
sitive materials to explode shall not be has been completed.
used. (9) Tank and vault procedures. (i)
(v) Drums and containers under pres- Tanks and vaults containing hazardous
sure, as evidenced by bulging or swell- substances shall be handled in a man-
ing, shall not be moved until such time ner similar to that for drums and con-
as the cause for excess pressure is de- tainers, taking into consideration the
termined and appropriate containment size of the tank or vault.
procedures have been implemented to (ii) Appropriate tank or vault entry
protect employees from explosive relief procedures as described in the employ-
of the drum. er’s safety and health plan shall be fol-
(vi) Drums and containers containing lowed whenever employees must enter
packaged laboratory wastes shall be a tank or vault.
considered to contain shock-sensitive (k) Decontamination—(1) General. Pro-
or explosive materials until they have cedures for all phases of decontamina-
been characterized. tion shall be developed and imple-
CAUTION: Shipping of shock sensitive mented in accordance with this para-
wastes may be prohibited under U.S. Depart- graph.
ment of Transportation regulations. Employ- (2) Decontamination procedures. (i) A
ers and their shippers should refer to 49 CFR decontamination procedure shall be de-
173.21 and 173.50.
veloped, communicated to employees
(6) Laboratory waste packs. In addition and implemented before any employees
to the requirements of paragraph (j)(5) or equipment may enter areas on site
of this section, the following pre- where potential for exposure to haz-
cautions shall be taken, as a minimum, ardous substances exists.
381
(ii) Standard operating procedures vent the effective use of water, then
shall be developed to minimize em- other effective means for cleansing
ployee contact with hazardous sub- shall be provided and used.
stances or with equipment that has (l) Emergency response by employees at
contacted hazardous substances. uncontrolled hazardous waste sites—(1)
(iii) All employees leaving a contami- Emergency response plan. (i) An emer-
nated area shall be appropriately de- gency response plan shall be developed
contaminated; all contaminated cloth- and implemented by all employers
ing and equipment leaving a contami- within the scope of paragraphs (a)(1)
nated area shall be appropriately dis- (i)–(ii) of this section to handle antici-
posed of or decontaminated. pated emergencies prior to the com-
(iv) Decontamination procedures mencement of hazardous waste oper-
shall be monitored by the site safety ations. The plan shall be in writing and
and health supervisor to determine available for inspection and copying by
their effectiveness. When such proce- employees, their representatives,
dures are found to be ineffective, ap- OSHA personnel and other govern-
propriate steps shall be taken to cor- mental agencies with relevant respon-
rect any deficiencies. sibilities.
(3) Location. Decontamination shall (ii) Employers who will evacuate
be performed in geographical areas their employees from the danger area
that will minimize the exposure of when an emergency occurs, and who do
uncontaminated employees or equip- not permit any of their employees to
ment to contaminated employees or assist in handling the emergency, are
equipment. exempt from the requirements of this
(4) Equipment and solvents. All equip- paragraph if they provide an emer-
ment and solvents used for decon- gency action plan complying with 29
tamination shall be decontaminated or CFR 1910.38.
disposed of properly. (2) Elements of an emergency response
(5) Personal protective clothing and plan. The employer shall develop an
equipment. (i) Protective clothing and emergency response plan for emer-
equipment shall be decontaminated, gencies which shall address, as a min-
cleaned, laundered, maintained or re- imum, the following:
placed as needed to maintain their ef- (i) Pre-emergency planning.
fectiveness. (ii) Personnel roles, lines of author-
(ii) Employees whose non-imper- ity, and communication.
meable clothing becomes wetted with (iii) Emergency recognition and pre-
hazardous substances shall imme- vention.
diately remove that clothing and pro-
(iv) Safe distances and places of ref-
ceed to shower. The clothing shall be
uge.
disposed of or decontaminated before it
(v) Site security and control.
is removed from the work zone.
(6) Unauthorized employees. Unauthor- (vi) Evacuation routes and proce-
ized employees shall not remove pro- dures.
tective clothing or equipment from (vii) Decontamination procedures
change rooms. which are not covered by the site safe-
(7) Commercial laundries or cleaning es- ty and health plan.
tablishments. Commercial laundries or (viii) Emergency medical treatment
cleaning establishments that decon- and first aid.
taminate protective clothing or equip- (ix) Emergency alerting and response
ment shall be informed of the poten- procedures.
tially harmful effects of exposures to (x) Critique of response and follow-
hazardous substances. up.
(8) Showers and change rooms. Where (xi) PPE and emergency equipment.
the decontamination procedure indi- (3) Procedures for handling emergency
cates a need for regular showers and incidents. (i) In addition to the ele-
change rooms outside of a contami- ments for the emergency response plan
nated area, they shall be provided and required in paragraph (l)(2) of this sec-
meet the requirements of 29 CFR tion, the following elements shall be
1910.141. If temperature conditions pre- included for emergency response plans:
382
(A) Site topography, layout, and pre- TABLE H–120.1—MINIMUM ILLUMINATION

vailing weather conditions. INTENSITIES IN FOOT-CANDLES—Continued
(B) Procedures for reporting inci- Foot-
dents to local, state, and federal gov- can- Area or operations
ernmental agencies. dles
(ii) The emergency response plan 10 ...... General shops (e.g., mechanical and electrical
shall be a separate section of the Site equipment rooms, active storerooms, barracks or
living quarters, locker or dressing rooms, dining
Safety and Health Plan. areas, and indoor toilets and workrooms.)
(iii) The emergency response plan 30 ...... First aid stations, infirmaries, and offices.
shall be compatible and integrated
with the disaster, fire and/or emer- (n) Sanitation at temporary work-
gency response plans of local, state, places—(1) Potable water. (i) An ade-
and federal agencies. quate supply of potable water shall be
(iv) The emergency response plan provided on the site.
shall be rehearsed regularly as part of (ii) Portable containers used to dis-
the overall training program for site pense drinking water shall be capable
operations. of being tightly closed, and equipped
with a tap. Water shall not be dipped
(v) The site emergency response plan
from containers.
shall be reviewed periodically and, as (iii) Any container used to distribute
necessary, be amended to keep it cur- drinking water shall be clearly marked
rent with new or changing site condi- as to the nature of its contents and not
tions or information. used for any other purpose.
(vi) An employee alarm system shall (iv) Where single service cups (to be
be installed in accordance with 29 CFR used but once) are supplied, both a san-
1910.165 to notify employees of an emer- itary container for the unused cups and
gency situation; to stop work activities a receptacle for disposing of the used
if necessary; to lower background noise cups shall be provided.
in order to speed communication; and (2) Nonpotable water. (i) Outlets for
to begin emergency procedures. nonpotable water, such as water for
(vii) Based upon the information firefighting purposes, shall be identi-
available at time of the emergency, the fied to indicate clearly that the water
employer shall evaluate the incident is unsafe and is not to be used for
and the site response capabilities and drinking, washing, or cooking pur-
proceed with the appropriate steps to poses.
implement the site emergency response (ii) There shall be no cross-connec-
plan. tion, open or potential, between a sys-
(m) Illumination. Areas accessible to tem furnishing potable water and a
employees shall be lighted to not less system furnishing nonpotable water.
(3) Toilet facilities. (i) Toilets shall be
than the minimum illumination inten-
provided for employees according to
sities listed in the following Table H–
the following Table H–120.2.
120.1 while any work is in progress:
TABLE H–120.2—TOILET FACILITIES
TABLE H–120.1—MINIMUM ILLUMINATION
INTENSITIES IN FOOT-CANDLES Number of employees Minimum number of facilities
Foot- 20 or fewer ............................. One.

can- Area or operations More than 20, fewer than 200 One toilet seat and one uri-
dles nal per 40 employees.
More than 200 ........................ One toilet seat and one uri-
5 ........ General site areas. nal per 50 employees.
3 ........ Excavation and waste areas, accessways, active
storage areas, loading platforms, refueling, and (ii) Under temporary field conditions,
field maintenance areas.
provisions shall be made to assure that
5 ........ Indoors: Warehouses, corridors, hallways, and
exitways. at least one toilet facility is available.
5 ........ Tunnels, shafts, and general underground work (iii) Hazardous waste sites not pro-
areas. (Exception: Minimum of 10 foot-candles is vided with a sanitary sewer shall be

required at tunnel and shaft heading during drilling provided with the following toilet fa-
mucking, and scaling. Mine Safety and Health Ad-
ministration approved cap lights shall be accept- cilities unless prohibited by local
able for use in the tunnel heading.) codes:
383
(A) Chemical toilets; with an area where they can put on, re-
(B) Recirculating toilets; move and store work clothing and per-
(C) Combustion toilets; or sonal protective equipment.
(D) Flush toilets. (iii) Showers and change rooms shall
(iv) The requirements of this para- be located in areas where exposures are
graph for sanitation facilities shall not below the permissible exposure limits
apply to mobile crews having transpor- and published exposure levels. If this
tation readily available to nearby toi- cannot be accomplished, then a ven-
let facilities. tilation system shall be provided that
(v) Doors entering toilet facilities will supply air that is below the per-
shall be provided with entrance locks missible exposure limits and published
controlled from inside the facility. exposure levels.
(4) Food handling. All food service fa- (iv) Employers shall assure that em-
cilities and operations for employees ployees shower at the end of their work
shall meet the applicable laws, ordi- shift and when leaving the hazardous
nances, and regulations of the jurisdic- waste site.
tions in which they are located. (o) New technology programs. (1) The
(5) Temporary sleeping quarters. When employer shall develop and implement
temporary sleeping quarters are pro- procedures for the introduction of ef-
vided, they shall be heated, ventilated, fective new technologies and equip-
and lighted. ment developed for the improved pro-
(6) Washing facilities. The employer tection of employees working with haz-
shall provide adequate washing facili- ardous waste clean-up operations, and
ties for employees engaged in oper- the same shall be implemented as part
ations where hazardous substances of the site safety and health program
may be harmful to employees. Such fa- to assure that employee protection is
cilities shall be in near proximity to being maintained.
the worksite; in areas where exposures (2) New technologies, equipment or
are below permissible exposure limits control measures available to the in-
and published exposure levels and dustry, such as the use of foams,
which are under the controls of the em- absorbents, adsorbents, neutralizers, or
ployer; and shall be so equipped as to other means to suppress the level of air
enable employees to remove hazardous contaminates while excavating the site
substances from themselves. or for spill control, shall be evaluated
(7) Showers and change rooms. When by employers or their representatives.
hazardous waste clean-up or removal Such an evaluation shall be done to de-
operations commence on a site and the termine the effectiveness of the new
duration of the work will require six methods, materials, or equipment be-
months or greater time to complete, fore implementing their use on a large
the employer shall provide showers and scale for enhancing employee protec-
change rooms for all employees ex- tion. Information and data from manu-
posed to hazardous substances and facturers or suppliers may be used as
health hazards involved in hazardous part of the employer’s evaluation ef-
waste clean-up or removal operations. fort. Such evaluations shall be made
(i) Showers shall be provided and available to OSHA upon request.
shall meet the requirements of 29 CFR (p) Certain Operations Conducted
1910.141(d)(3). Under the Resource Conservation and Re-
(ii) Change rooms shall be provided covery Act of 1976 (RCRA). Employers
and shall meet the requirements of 29 conducting operations at treatment,
CFR 1910.141(e). Change rooms shall storage and disposal (TSD) facilities
consist of two separate change areas specified in paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this
separated by the shower area required section shall provide and implement
in paragraph (n)(7)(i) of this section. the programs specified in this para-
One change area, with an exit leading graph. See the ‘‘Notes and Exceptions’’
off the worksite, shall provide employ- to paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section
ees with a clean area where they can for employers not covered.)’’.
remove, store, and put on street cloth- (1) Safety and health program. The em-
ing. The second area, with an exit to ployer shall develop and implement a
the worksite, shall provide employees written safety and health program for
384
employees involved in hazardous waste initial training shall be for 24 hours

operations that shall be available for and refresher training shall be for eight
inspection by employees, their rep- hours annually. Employees who have
resentatives and OSHA personnel. The received the initial training required
program shall be designed to identify, by this paragraph shall be given a writ-
evaluate and control safety and health ten certificate attesting that they have
hazards in their facilities for the pur- successfully completed the necessary
pose of employee protection, to provide training.
for emergency response meeting the re- (ii) Current employees. Employers who
quirements of paragraph (p)(8) of this can show by an employee’s previous
section and to address as appropriate work experience and/or training that
site analysis, engineering controls, the employee has had training equiva-
maximum exposure limits, hazardous lent to the initial training required by
waste handling procedures and uses of this paragraph, shall be considered as
new technologies. meeting the initial training require-
(2) Hazard communication program.
ments of this paragraph as to that em-
The employer shall implement a haz-
ployee. Equivalent training includes
ard communication program meeting
the training that existing employees
the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200 as
might have already received from ac-
part of the employer’s safety and pro-
gram. tual site work experience. Current em-
ployees shall receive eight hours of re-
NOTE TO § 1910.120: The exemption for haz- fresher training annually.
ardous waste provided in § 1910.1200 is appli- (iii) Trainers. Trainers who teach ini-
cable to this section.
tial training shall have satisfactorily
(3) Medical surveillance program. The completed a training course for teach-
employer shall develop and implement ing the subjects they are expected to
a medical surveillance program meet- teach or they shall have the academic
ing the requirements of paragraph (f) of credentials and instruction experience
this section. necessary to demonstrate a good com-
(4) Decontamination program. The em- mand of the subject matter of the
ployer shall develop and implement a courses and competent instructional
decontamination procedure meeting skills.
the requirements of paragraph (k) of (8) Emergency response program—(i)
this section. Emergency response plan. An emergency
(5) New technology program. The em- response plan shall be developed and
ployer shall develop and implement
implemented by all employers. Such
procedures meeting the requirements
plans need not duplicate any of the
of paragraph (o) of this section for in-
subjects fully addressed in the employ-
troducing new and innovative equip-
er’s contingency planning required by
ment into the workplace.
(6) Material handling program. Where permits, such as those issued by the
employees will be handling drums or U.S. Environmental Protection Agen-
containers, the employer shall develop cy, provided that the contingency plan
and implement procedures meeting the is made part of the emergency response
requirements of paragraphs (j)(1) (ii) plan. The emergency response plan
through (viii) and (xi) of this section, shall be a written portion of the em-
as well as (j)(3) and (j)(8) of this section ployer’s safety and health program re-
prior to starting such work. quired in paragraph (p)(1) of this sec-
(7) Training program—(i) New employ- tion. Employers who will evacuate
ees. The employer shall develop and im- their employees from the worksite lo-
plement a training program, which is cation when an emergency occurs and
part of the employer’s safety and who do not permit any of their employ-
health program, for employees exposed ees to assist in handling the emergency
to health hazards or hazardous sub- are exempt from the requirements of
stances at TSD operations to enable paragraph (p)(8) if they provide an
the employees to perform their as- emergency action plan complying with
signed duties and functions in a safe 29 CFR 1910.38.
and healthful manner so as not endan- (ii) Elements of an emergency response
ger themselves or other employees. The plan. The employer shall develop an
385
emergency response plan for emer- (B) Employee members of TSD facil-
gencies which shall address, as a min- ity emergency response organizations
imum, the following areas to the ex- shall be trained to a level of com-
tent that they are not addressed in any petence in the recognition of health
specific program required in this para- and safety hazards to protect them-
graph: selves and other employees. This would
(A) Pre-emergency planning and co- include training in the methods used to
ordination with outside parties. minimize the risk from safety and
(B) Personnel roles, lines of author- health hazards; in the safe use of con-
ity, and communication. trol equipment; in the selection and
(C) Emergency recognition and pre- use of appropriate personal protective
vention. equipment; in the safe operating proce-
(D) Safe distances and places of ref- dures to be used at the incident scene;
uge. in the techniques of coordination with
(E) Site security and control. other employees to minimize risks; in
(F) Evacuation routes and proce- the appropriate response to over expo-
dures. sure from health hazards or injury to
(G) Decontamination procedures. themselves and other employees; and
(H) Emergency medical treatment in the recognition of subsequent symp-
and first aid. toms which may result from over expo-
(I) Emergency alerting and response sures.
procedures. (C) The employer shall certify that
(J) Critique of response and follow- each covered employee has attended
up. and successfully completed the train-
(K) PPE and emergency equipment. ing required in paragraph (p)(8)(iii) of
(iii) Training. (A) Training for emer- this section, or shall certify the em-
gency response employees shall be ployee’s competency at least yearly.
completed before they are called upon The method used to demonstrate com-
to perform in real emergencies. Such petency for certification of training
training shall include the elements of shall be recorded and maintained by
the emergency response plan, standard the employer.
operating procedures the employer has (iv) Procedures for handling emergency
established for the job, the personal incidents. (A) In addition to the ele-
protective equipment to be worn and ments for the emergency response plan
procedures for handling emergency in- required in paragraph (p)(8)(ii) of this
cidents. section, the following elements shall be
included for emergency response plans
Exception #1: An employer need not train to the extent that they do not repeat
all employees to the degree specified if the
employer divides the work force in a manner
any information already contained in
such that a sufficient number of employees the emergency response plan:
who have responsibility to control emer- (1) Site topography, layout, and pre-
gencies have the training specified, and all vailing weather conditions.
other employees, who may first respond to (2) Procedures for reporting incidents
an emergency incident, have sufficient to local, state, and federal govern-
awareness training to recognize that an mental agencies.
emergency response situation exists and that (B) The emergency response plan
they are instructed in that case to summon
the fully trained employees and not attempt
shall be compatible and integrated
control activities for which they are not with the disaster, fire and/or emer-
trained. gency response plans of local, state,
Exception #2: An employer need not train and federal agencies.
all employees to the degree specified if ar- (C) The emergency response plan
rangements have been made in advance for shall be rehearsed regularly as part of
an outside fully-trained emergency response the overall training program for site
team to respond in a reasonable period and operations.
all employees, who may come to the incident
(D) The site emergency response plan
first, have sufficient awareness training to

recognize that an emergency response situa- shall be reviewed periodically and, as
tion exists and they have been instructed to necessary, be amended to keep it cur-
call the designated outside fully-trained rent with new or changing site condi-
emergency response team for assistance. tions or information.
386
(E) An employee alarm system shall (i) Pre-emergency planning and co-
be installed in accordance with 29 CFR ordination with outside parties.
1910.165 to notify employees of an emer- (ii) Personnel roles, lines of author-
gency situation; to stop work activities ity, training, and communication.
if necessary; to lower background noise (iii) Emergency recognition and pre-
in order to speed communication; and vention.
to begin emergency procedures.
(iv) Safe distances and places of ref-
(F) Based upon the information avail-
uge.
able at time of the emergency, the em-
ployer shall evaluate the incident and (v) Site security and control.
the site response capabilities and pro- (vi) Evacuation routes and proce-
ceed with the appropriate steps to im- dures.
plement the site emergency response (vii) Decontamination.
plan. (viii) Emergency medical treatment
(q) Emergency response to hazardous and first aid.
substance releases. This paragraph cov- (ix) Emergency alerting and response
ers employers whose employees are en- procedures.
gaged in emergency response no matter (x) Critique of response and follow-
where it occurs except that it does not up.
cover employees engaged in operations
(xi) PPE and emergency equipment.
specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through
(a)(1)(iv) of this section. Those emer- (xii) Emergency response organiza-
gency response organizations who have tions may use the local emergency re-
developed and implemented programs sponse plan or the state emergency re-
equivalent to this paragraph for han- sponse plan or both, as part of their
dling releases of hazardous substances emergency response plan to avoid du-
pursuant to section 303 of the Super- plication. Those items of the emer-
fund Amendments and Reauthorization gency response plan that are being
Act of 1986 (Emergency Planning and properly addressed by the SARA Title
Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, III plans may be substituted into their
42 U.S.C. 11003) shall be deemed to have emergency plan or otherwise kept to-
met the requirements of this para- gether for the employer and employee’s
graph. use.
(1) Emergency response plan. An emer- (3) Procedures for handling emergency
gency response plan shall be developed response. (i) The senior emergency re-
and implemented to handle anticipated sponse official responding to an emer-
emergencies prior to the commence- gency shall become the individual in
ment of emergency response oper- charge of a site-specific Incident Com-
ations. The plan shall be in writing and mand System (ICS). All emergency re-
available for inspection and copying by sponders and their communications
employees, their representatives and shall be coordinated and controlled
OSHA personnel. Employers who will through the individual in charge of the
evacuate their employees from the ICS assisted by the senior official
danger area when an emergency occurs, present for each employer.
and who do not permit any of their em-
ployees to assist in handling the emer- NOTE TO PARAGRAPH (q)(3)(i). The ‘‘senior
gency, are exempt from the require- official’’ at an emergency response is the
ments of this paragraph if they provide most senior official on the site who has the
an emergency action plan in accord- responsibility for controlling the operations
ance with 29 CFR 1910.38. at the site. Initially it is the senior officer
on the first-due piece of responding emer-
(2) Elements of an emergency response
gency apparatus to arrive on the incident
plan. The employer shall develop an scene. As more senior officers arrive (i.e.,
emergency response plan for emer- battalion chief, fire chief, state law enforce-
gencies which shall address, as a min- ment official, site coordinator, etc.) the posi-
imum, the following to the extent that tion is passed up the line of authority which
they are not addressed elsewhere: has been previously established.
387
(ii) The individual in charge of the (viii) When activities are judged by
ICS shall identify, to the extent pos- the safety official to be an IDLH condi-
sible, all hazardous substances or con- tion and/or to involve an imminent
ditions present and shall address as ap- danger condition, the safety official
propriate site analysis, use of engineer- shall have the authority to alter, sus-
ing controls, maximum exposure lim- pend, or terminate those activities.
its, hazardous substance handling pro- The safety official shall immediately
cedures, and use of any new tech- inform the individual in charge of the
nologies. ICS of any actions needed to be taken
(iii) Based on the hazardous sub- to correct these hazards at the emer-
stances and/or conditions present, the gency scene.
individual in charge of the ICS shall (ix) After emergency operations have
implement appropriate emergency op- terminated, the individual in charge of
erations, and assure that the personal the ICS shall implement appropriate
protective equipment worn is appro- decontamination procedures.
priate for the hazards to be encoun-
(x) When deemed necessary for meet-
tered. However, personal protective
ing the tasks at hand, approved self-
equipment shall meet, at a minimum,
contained compressed air breathing ap-
the criteria contained in 29 CFR
paratus may be used with approved cyl-
1910.156(e) when worn while performing
inders from other approved self-con-
fire fighting operations beyond the in-
tained compressed air breathing appa-
cipient stage for any incident.
ratus provided that such cylinders are
(iv) Employees engaged in emergency
of the same capacity and pressure rat-
response and exposed to hazardous sub-
ing. All compressed air cylinders used
stances presenting an inhalation haz-
with self-contained breathing appa-
ard or potential inhalation hazard shall
wear positive pressure self-contained ratus shall meet U.S. Department of
breathing apparatus while engaged in Transportation and National Institute
emergency response, until such time for Occupational Safety and Health cri-
that the individual in charge of the ICS teria.
determines through the use of air mon- (4) Skilled support personnel. Per-
itoring that a decreased level of res- sonnel, not necessarily an employer’s
piratory protection will not result in own employees, who are skilled in the
hazardous exposures to employees. operation of certain equipment, such as
(v) The individual in charge of the mechanized earth moving or digging
ICS shall limit the number of emer- equipment or crane and hoisting equip-
gency response personnel at the emer- ment, and who are needed temporarily
gency site, in those areas of potential to perform immediate emergency sup-
or actual exposure to incident or site port work that cannot reasonably be
hazards, to those who are actively per- performed in a timely fashion by an
forming emergency operations. How- employer’s own employees, and who
ever, operations in hazardous areas will be or may be exposed to the haz-
shall be performed using the buddy sys- ards at an emergency response scene,
tem in groups of two or more. are not required to meet the training
(vi) Back-up personnel shall stand by required in this paragraph for the em-
with equipment ready to provide as- ployer’s regular employees. However,
sistance or rescue. Advance first aid these personnel shall be given an ini-
support personnel, as a minimum, shall tial briefing at the site prior to their
also stand by with medical equipment participation in any emergency re-
and transportation capability. sponse. The initial briefing shall in-
(vii) The individual in charge of the clude instruction in the wearing of ap-
ICS shall designate a safety official, propriate personal protective equip-
who is knowledgable in the operations ment, what chemical hazards are in-
being implemented at the emergency volved, and what duties are to be per-
response site, with specific responsi- formed. All other appropriate safety
bility to identify and evaluate hazards and health precautions provided to the
and to provide direction with respect employer’s own employees shall be
to the safety of operations for the used to assure the safety and health of
emergency at hand. these personnel.
388
(5) Specialist employees. Employees Transportation’s Emergency Response

who, in the course of their regular job Guidebook.
duties, work with and are trained in (F) The ability to realize the need for
the hazards of specific hazardous sub- additional resources, and to make ap-
stances, and who will be called upon to propriate notifications to the commu-
provide technical advice or assistance nication center.
at a hazardous substance release inci- (ii) First responder operations level.
dent to the individual in charge, shall First responders at the operations level
receive training or demonstrate com- are individuals who respond to releases
petency in the area of their specializa- or potential releases of hazardous sub-
tion annually. stances as part of the initial response
(6) Training. Training shall be based to the site for the purpose of protecting
on the duties and function to be per- nearby persons, property, or the envi-
formed by each responder of an emer- ronment from the effects of the re-
gency response organization. The skill lease. They are trained to respond in a
and knowledge levels required for all defensive fashion without actually try-
new responders, those hired after the ing to stop the release. Their function
effective date of this standard, shall be is to contain the release from a safe
conveyed to them through training be- distance, keep it from spreading, and
fore they are permitted to take part in prevent exposures. First responders at
actual emergency operations on an in- the operational level shall have re-
cident. Employees who participate, or
ceived at least eight hours of training
are expected to participate, in emer-
or have had sufficient experience to ob-
gency response, shall be given training
jectively demonstrate competency in
in accordance with the following para-
the following areas in addition to those
graphs:
listed for the awareness level and the
(i) First responder awareness level. employer shall so certify:
First responders at the awareness level
(A) Knowledge of the basic hazard
are individuals who are likely to wit-
and risk assessment techniques.
ness or discover a hazardous substance
release and who have been trained to (B) Know how to select and use prop-
initiate an emergency response se- er personal protective equipment pro-
quence by notifying the proper authori- vided to the first responder operational
ties of the release. They would take no level.
further action beyond notifying the au- (C) An understanding of basic haz-
thorities of the release. First respond- ardous materials terms.
ers at the awareness level shall have (D) Know how to perform basic con-
sufficient training or have had suffi- trol, containment and/or confinement
cient experience to objectively dem- operations within the capabilities of
onstrate competency in the following the resources and personal protective
areas: equipment available with their unit.
(A) An understanding of what haz- (E) Know how to implement basic de-
ardous substances are, and the risks as- contamination procedures.
sociated with them in an incident. (F) An understanding of the relevant
(B) An understanding of the potential standard operating procedures and ter-
outcomes associated with an emer- mination procedures.
gency created when hazardous sub- (iii) Hazardous materials technician.
stances are present. Hazardous materials technicians are
(C) The ability to recognize the pres- individuals who respond to releases or
ence of hazardous substances in an potential releases for the purpose of
emergency. stopping the release. They assume a
(D) The ability to identify the haz- more aggressive role than a first re-
ardous substances, if possible. sponder at the operations level in that
(E) An understanding of the role of they will approach the point of release
the first responder awareness indi- in order to plug, patch or otherwise

vidual in the employer’s emergency re- stop the release of a hazardous sub-
sponse plan including site security and stance. Hazardous materials techni-
control and the U.S. Department of cians shall have received at least 24
389
hours of training equal to the first re- (D) Be able to select and use proper
sponder operations level and in addi- specialized chemical personal protec-
tion have competency in the following tive equipment provided to the haz-
areas and the employer shall so certify: ardous materials specialist.
(A) Know how to implement the em- (E) Understand in-depth hazard and
ployer’s emergency response plan. risk techniques.
(B) Know the classification, identi- (F) Be able to perform specialized
fication and verification of known and control, containment, and/or confine-
unknown materials by using field sur- ment operations within the capabili-
vey instruments and equipment. ties of the resources and personal pro-
(C) Be able to function within an as- tective equipment available.
signed role in the Incident Command (G) Be able to determine and imple-
System. ment decontamination procedures.
(D) Know how to select and use prop- (H) Have the ability to develop a site
er specialized chemical personal pro- safety and control plan.
tective equipment provided to the haz- (I) Understand chemical, radiological
ardous materials technician. and toxicological terminology and be-
(E) Understand hazard and risk as- havior.
sessment techniques. (v) On scene incident commander. Inci-
(F) Be able to perform advance con- dent commanders, who will assume
trol, containment, and/or confinement control of the incident scene beyond
operations within the capabilities of the first responder awareness level,
the resources and personal protective shall receive at least 24 hours of train-
equipment available with the unit. ing equal to the first responder oper-
(G) Understand and implement de- ations level and in addition have com-
contamination procedures. petency in the following areas and the
(H) Understand termination proce- employer shall so certify:
dures. (A) Know and be able to implement
(I) Understand basic chemical and the employer’s incident command sys-
toxicological terminology and behav- tem.
ior. (B) Know how to implement the em-
(iv) Hazardous materials specialist. ployer’s emergency response plan.
Hazardous materials specialists are in- (C) Know and understand the hazards
dividuals who respond with and provide and risks associated with employees
support to hazardous materials techni- working in chemical protective cloth-
cians. Their duties parallel those of the ing.
hazardous materials technician, how- (D) Know how to implement the local
ever, those duties require a more di- emergency response plan.
rected or specific knowledge of the var- (E) Know of the state emergency re-
ious substances they may be called sponse plan and of the Federal Re-
upon to contain. The hazardous mate- gional Response Team.
rials specialist would also act as the (F) Know and understand the impor-
site liaison with Federal, state, local tance of decontamination procedures.
and other government authorities in (7) Trainers. Trainers who teach any
regards to site activities. Hazardous of the above training subjects shall
materials specialists shall have re- have satisfactorily completed a train-
ceived at least 24 hours of training ing course for teaching the subjects
equal to the technician level and in ad- they are expected to teach, such as the
dition have competency in the fol- courses offered by the U.S. National
lowing areas and the employer shall so Fire Academy, or they shall have the
certify: training and/or academic credentials
(A) Know how to implement the local and instructional experience necessary
emergency response plan. to demonstrate competent instruc-
(B) Understand classification, identi- tional skills and a good command of
fication and verification of known and the subject matter of the courses they
unknown materials by using advanced are to teach.

survey instruments and equipment. (8) Refresher training. (i) Those em-
(C) Know of the state emergency re- ployees who are trained in accordance
sponse plan. with paragraph (q)(6) of this section
390
shall receive annual refresher training tective equipment and decontamina-

of sufficient content and duration to tion procedures. All equipment to be
maintain their competencies, or shall used in the performance of the clean-up
demonstrate competency in those areas work shall be in serviceable condition
at least yearly. and shall have been inspected prior to
(ii) A statement shall be made of the use.
training or competency, and if a state-
APPENDICES TO § 1910.120—HAZARDOUS WASTE
ment of competency is made, the em-
OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
ployer shall keep a record of the meth-
odology used to demonstrate com- NOTE: The following appendices serve as
petency. non-mandatory guidelines to assist employ-
(9) Medical surveillance and consulta- ees and employers in complying with the ap-
propriate requirements of this section. How-
tion. (i) Members of an organized and
ever paragraph 1910.120(g) makes mandatory
designated HAZMAT team and haz- in certain circumstances the use of Level A
ardous materials specialists shall re- and Level B PPE protection.
ceive a baseline physical examination
and be provided with medical surveil- APPENDIX A TO § 1910.120—PERSONAL
lance as required in paragraph (f) of PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TEST METHODS
this section. This appendix sets forth the non-manda-
(ii) Any emergency response employ- tory examples of tests which may be used to
ees who exhibits signs or symptoms evaluate compliance with § 1910.120 (g)(4) (ii)
which may have resulted from exposure and (iii). Other tests and other challenge
to hazardous substances during the agents may be used to evaluate compliance.
course of an emergency incident, either A. Totally-encapsulating chemical protective
immediately or subsequently, shall be suit pressure test
provided with medical consultation as
1.0—Scope
required in paragraph (f)(3)(ii) of this
1.1 This practice measures the ability of a
section. gas tight totally-encapsulating chemical
(10) Chemical protective clothing. protective suit material, seams, and closures
Chemical protective clothing and to maintain a fixed positive pressure. The re-
equipment to be used by organized and sults of this practice allow the gas tight in-
designated HAZMAT team members, or tegrity of a totally-encapsulating chemical
to be used by hazardous materials spe- protective suit to be evaluated.
cialists, shall meet the requirements of 1.2 Resistance of the suit materials to
paragraphs (g) (3) through (5) of this permeation, penetration, and degradation by
specific hazardous substances is not deter-
section.
mined by this test method.
(11) Post-emergency response oper- 2.0—Definition of terms
ations. Upon completion of the emer- 2.1 Totally-encapsulated chemical protective
gency response, if it is determined that suit (TECP suit) means a full body garment
it is necessary to remove hazardous which is constructed of protective clothing
substances, health hazards, and mate- materials; covers the wearer’s torso, head,
rials contaminated with them (such as arms, legs and respirator; may cover the
contaminated soil or other elements of wearer’s hands and feet with tightly at-
the natural environment) from the site tached gloves and boots; completely encloses
the wearer and respirator by itself or in com-
of the incident, the employer con-
bination with the wearer’s gloves and boots.
ducting the clean-up shall comply with 2.2 Protective clothing material means any
one of the following: material or combination of materials used in
(i) Meet all of the requirements of an item of clothing for the purpose of iso-
paragraphs (b) through (o) of this sec- lating parts of the body from direct contact
tion; or with a potentially hazardous liquid or gas-
(ii) Where the clean-up is done on eous chemicals.
plant property using plant or work- 2.3 Gas tight means, for the purpose of this
place employees, such employees shall test method, the limited flow of a gas under
pressure from the inside of a TECP suit to
have completed the training require-
atmosphere at a prescribed pressure and
ments of the following: 29 CFR 1910.38, time interval.
1910.134, 1910.1200, and other appro- 3.0—Summary of test method

priate safety and health training made 3.1 The TECP suit is visually inspected and
necessary by the tasks they are ex- modified for the test. The test apparatus is
pected to perform such as personal pro- attached to the suit to permit inflation to
391
the pre-test suit expansion pressure for re- sure to pressure (B), the suit test pressure.
moval of suit wrinkles and creases. The pres- Begin timing. At the end of three minutes,
sure is lowered to the test pressure and mon- record the suit pressure as pressure (C), the
itored for three minutes. If the pressure drop ending suit pressure. The difference between
is excessive, the TECP suit fails the test and the suit test pressure and the ending suit
is removed from service. The test is repeated test pressure (B-C) shall be defined as the
after leak location and repair. suit pressure drop.
4.0—Required Supplies 6.1.6 If the suit pressure drop is more than
4.1 Source of compressed air. 20 percent of the suit test pressure (B) during
4.2 Test apparatus for suit testing, includ- the three-minute test period, the suit fails
ing a pressure measurement device with a the test and shall be removed from service.
sensitivity of at least 1⁄4 inch water gauge. 7.0—Retest Procedure
4.3 Vent valve closure plugs or sealing 7.1 If the suit fails the test check for leaks
tape. by inflating the suit to pressure (A) and
4.4 Soapy water solution and soft brush. brushing or wiping the entire suit (including
4.5 Stop watch or appropriate timing de-
seams, closures, lens gaskets, glove-to-sleeve
vice.
joints, etc.) with a mild soap and water solu-
5.0—Safety Precautions
tion. Observe the suit for the formation of
5.1 Care shall be taken to provide the cor-
soap bubbles, which is an indication of a
rect pressure safety devices required for the
leak. Repair all identified leaks.
source of compressed air used.
6.0—Test Procedure 7.2 Retest the TECP suit as outlined in
6.1 Prior to each test, the tester shall per- Test procedure 6.0.
form a visual inspection of the suit. Check 8.0—Report
the suit for seam integrity by visually exam- 8.1 Each TECP suit tested by this practice
ining the seams and gently pulling on the shall have the following information re-
seams. Ensure that all air supply lines, fit- corded:
tings, visor, zippers, and valves are secure 8.1.1 Unique identification number, identi-
and show no signs of deterioration. fying brand name, date of purchase, material
6.1.1 Seal off the vent valves along with of construction, and unique fit features, e.g.,
any other normal inlet or exhaust points special breathing apparatus.
(such as umbilical air line fittings or face 8.1.2 The actual values for test pressures
piece opening) with tape or other appropriate (A), (B), and (C) shall be recorded along with
means (caps, plugs, fixture, etc.). Care should the specific observation times. If the ending
be exercised in the sealing process not to pressure (C) is less than 80 percent of the test
damage any of the suit components. pressure (B), the suit shall be identified as
6.1.2 Close all closure assemblies. failing the test. When possible, the specific
6.1.3 Prepare the suit for inflation by pro- leak location shall be identified in the test
viding an improvised connection point on the records. Retest pressure data shall be re-
suit for connecting an airline. Attach the corded as an additional test.
pressure test apparatus to the suit to permit 8.1.3 The source of the test apparatus used
suit inflation from a compressed air source shall be identified and the sensitivity of the
equipped with a pressure indicating regu- pressure gauge shall be recorded.
lator. The leak tightness of the pressure test 8.1.4 Records shall be kept for each pres-
apparatus should be tested before and after sure test even if repairs are being made at
each test by closing off the end of the tubing the test location.
attached to the suit and assuring a pressure
of three inches water gauge for three min- CAUTION
utes can be maintained. If a component is re-
Visually inspect all parts of the suit to be
moved for the test, that component shall be
sure they are positioned correctly and se-
replaced and a second test conducted with
cured tightly before putting the suit back
another component removed to permit a
into service. Special care should be taken to
complete test of the ensemble.
examine each exhaust valve to make sure it
6.1.4 The pre-test expansion pressure (A)
is not blocked.
and the suit test pressure (B) shall be sup-
plied by the suit manufacturer, but in no Care should also be exercised to assure
case shall they be less than: (A)=three inches that the inside and outside of the suit is
water gauge; and (B)=two inches water completely dry before it is put into storage.
gauge. The ending suit pressure (C) shall be B. Totally-encapsulating chemical protective
no less than 80 percent of the test pressure suit qualitative leak test
(B); i.e., the pressure drop shall not exceed 20
percent of the test pressure (B). 1.0—Scope
6.1.5 Inflate the suit until the pressure in- 1.1 This practice semi-qualitatively tests
side is equal to pressure (A), the pre-test ex- gas tight totally-encapsulating chemical
pansion suit pressure. Allow at least one protective suit integrity by detecting inward
minute to fill out the wrinkles in the suit. leakage of ammonia vapor. Since no modi-
Release sufficient air to reduce the suit pres- fications are made to the suit to carry out
392
this test, the results from this practice pro- the test room and his stand-by person meas-
vide a realistic test for the integrity of the ures the ammonia concentration inside the
entire suit. suit using a low range ammonia length of
1.2 Resistance of the suit materials to per- stain detector tube or other more sensitive
meation, penetration, and degradation is not ammonia detector. A stand-by person is re-
determined by this test method. ASTM test quired to observe the test individual during
methods are available to test suit materials the test procedure; aid the person in donning
for these characteristics and the tests are and doffing the TECP suit; and monitor the
usually conducted by the manufacturers of suit interior. The intrusion coefficient of the
the suits. suit can be calculated by dividing the aver-
2.0—Definition of terms age test area concentration by the interior
2.1 Totally-encapsulated chemical protective suit concentration. A colorimetric ammonia
suit (TECP suit) means a full body garment indicator strip of bromophenol blue or equiv-
which is constructed of protective clothing alent is placed on the inside of the suit face
materials; covers the wearer’s torso, head, piece lens so that the suited individual is
arms, legs and respirator; may cover the able to detect a color change and know if the
wearer’s hands and feet with tightly at- suit has a significant leak. If a color change
tached gloves and boots; completely encloses is observed the individual shall leave the test
the wearer and respirator by itself or in com- room immediately.
bination with the wearer’s gloves, and boots. 4.0—Required supplies
2.2 Protective clothing material means any 4.1 A supply of concentrated aqueous am-
material or combination of materials used in monium hydroxide (58% by weight).
an item of clothing for the purpose of iso- 4.2 A supply of bromophenol/blue indi-
lating parts of the body from direct contact cating paper or equivalent, sensitive to 5–10
with a potentially hazardous liquid or gas- ppm ammonia or greater over a two-minute
eous chemicals. period of exposure. [pH 3.0 (yellow) to pH 4.6
2.3 Gas tight means, for the purpose of this (blue)]
test method, the limited flow of a gas under 4.3 A supply of high range (0.5–10 volume
pressure from the inside of a TECP suit to percent) and low range (5–700 ppm) detector
atmosphere at a prescribed pressure and tubes for ammonia and the corresponding
time interval. sampling pump. More sensitive ammonia de-
2.4 Intrusion Coefficient means a number ex- tectors can be substituted for the low range
pressing the level of protection provided by a detector tubes to improve the sensitivity of
gas tight totally-encapsulating chemical this practice.
protective suit. The intrusion coefficient is 4.4 A shallow plastic pan (PVC) at least
calculated by dividing the test room chal- 12″:14″:1″ and a half pint plastic container
lenge agent concentration by the concentra- (PVC) with tightly closing lid.
tion of challenge agent found inside the suit. 4.5 A graduated cylinder or other volu-
The accuracy of the intrusion coefficient is metric measuring device of at least 50 milli-
dependent on the challenge agent monitoring liters in volume with an accuracy of at least
methods. The larger the intrusion coefficient ±1 milliliters.
the greater the protection provided by the 5.0—Safety precautions
TECP suit. 5.1 Concentrated aqueous ammonium hy-
3.0—Summary of recommended practice droxide, NH4 OH, is a corrosive volatile liq-
3.1 The volume of concentrated aqueous uid requiring eye, skin, and respiratory pro-
ammonia solution (ammonia hydroxide NH4 tection. The person conducting the test shall
OH) required to generate the test atmos- review the MSDS for aqueous ammonia.
phere is determined using the directions out- 5.2 Since the established permissible ex-
lined in 6.1. The suit is donned by a person posure limit for ammonia is 35 ppm as a 15
wearing the appropriate respiratory equip- minute STEL, only persons wearing a posi-
ment (either a positive pressure self-con- tive pressure self-contained breathing appa-
tained breathing apparatus or a positive ratus or a positive pressure supplied air res-
pressure supplied air respirator) and worn in- pirator shall be in the chamber. Normally
side the enclosed test room. The con- only the person wearing the totally-encap-
centrated aqueous ammonia solution is sulating suit will be inside the chamber. A
taken by the suited individual into the test stand-by person shall have a positive pres-
room and poured into an open plastic pan. A sure self-contained breathing apparatus, or a
two-minute evaporation period is observed positive pressure supplied air respirator
before the test room concentration is meas- available to enter the test area should the
ured, using a high range ammonia length of suited individual need assistance.
stain detector tube. When the ammonia 5.3 A method to monitor the suited indi-
vapor reaches a concentration of between vidual must be used during this test. Visual
1000 and 1200 ppm, the suited individual contact is the simplest but other methods
starts a standardized exercise protocol to using communication devices are acceptable.
stress and flex the suit. After this protocol is 5.4 The test room shall be large enough to
completed, the test room concentration is allow the exercise protocol to be carried out
measured again. The suited individual exits and then to be ventilated to allow for easy
393
exhaust of the ammonia test atmosphere shall be generated before the exercises are
after the test(s) are completed. started.
5.5 Individuals shall be medically 6.7 To test the integrity of the suit the
screened for the use of respiratory protection following four minute exercise protocol
and checked for allergies to ammonia before should be followed:
participating in this test procedure. 6.7.1 Raising the arms above the head
6.0—Test procedure with at least 15 raising motions completed in
6.1.1 Measure the test area to the nearest one minute.
foot and calculate its volume in cubic feet. 6.7.2 Walking in place for one minute with
Multiply the test area volume by 0.2 milli- at least 15 raising motions of each leg in a
liters of concentrated aqueous ammonia so- one-minute period.
lution per cubic foot of test area volume to 6.7.3 Touching the toes with a least 10
determine the approximate volume of con- complete motions of the arms from above
centrated aqueous ammonia required to gen- the head to touching of the toes in a one-
erate 1000 ppm in the test area. minute period.
6.1.2 Measure this volume from the supply 6.7.4 Knee bends with at least 10 complete
of concentrated aqueous ammonia and place standing and squatting motions in a one-
it into a closed plastic container. minute period.
6.1.3 Place the container, several high 6.8 If at any time during the test the col-
range ammonia detector tubes, and the pump orimetric indicating paper should change
in the clean test pan and locate it near the colors, the test should be stopped and section
test area entry door so that the suited indi- 6.10 and 6.12 initiated (See ¶ 4.2).
vidual has easy access to these supplies. 6.9 After completion of the test exercise,
6.2.1 In a non-contaminated atmosphere, the test area concentration should be meas-
open a pre-sealed ammonia indicator strip ured again using the high range colorimetric
and fasten one end of the strip to the inside detector tube.
of the suit face shield lens where it can be 6.10 Exit the test area.
seen by the wearer. Moisten the indicator 6.11 The opening created by the suit zip-
strip with distilled water. Care shall be per or other appropriate suit penetration
taken not to contaminate the detector part should be used to determine the ammonia
of the indicator paper by touching it. A concentration in the suit with the low range
small piece of masking tape or equivalent length of stain detector tube or other ammo-
should be used to attach the indicator strip nia monitor. The internal TECP suit air
to the interior of the suit face shield. should be sampled far enough from the en-
6.2.2 If problems are encountered with closed test area to prevent a false ammonia
this method of attachment, the indicator reading.
strip can be attached to the outside of the 6.12 After completion of the measurement
respirator face piece lens being used during of the suit interior ammonia concentration
the test. the test is concluded and the suit is doffed
6.3 Don the respiratory protective device and the respirator removed.
normally used with the suit, and then don 6.13 The ventilating fan for the test room
the TECP suit to be tested. Check to be sure should be turned on and allowed to run for
all openings which are intended to be sealed enough time to remove the ammonia gas.
(zippers, gloves, etc.) are completely sealed. The fan shall be vented to the outside of the
DO NOT, however, plug off any venting building.
valves. 6.14 Any detectable ammonia in the suit
6.4 Step into the enclosed test room such interior (five ppm ammonia (NH3) or more
as a closet, bathroom, or test booth, for the length of stain detector tube) indi-
equipped with an exhaust fan. No air should cates that the suit has failed the test. When
be exhausted from the chamber during the other ammonia detectors are used a lower
test because this will dilute the ammonia level of detection is possible, and it should be
challenge concentrations. specified as the pass/fail criteria.
6.5 Open the container with the pre-meas- 6.15 By following this test method, an in-
ured volume of concentrated aqueous ammo- trusion coefficient of approximately 200 or
nia within the enclosed test room, and pour more can be measured with the suit in a
the liquid into the empty plastic test pan. completely operational condition. If the in-
Wait two minutes to allow for adequate vola- trusion coefficient is 200 or more, then the
tilization of the concentrated aqueous am- suit is suitable for emergency response and
monia. A small mixing fan can be used near field use.
the evaporation pan to increase the evapo- 7.0—Retest procedures
ration rate of the ammonia solution. 7.1 If the suit fails this test, check for
6.6 After two minutes a determination of leaks by following the pressure test in test A
the ammonia concentration within the above.
chamber should be made using the high 7.2 Retest the TECP suit as outlined in
range colorimetric detector tube. A con- the test procedure 6.0.
centration of 1000 ppm ammonia or greater 8.0—Report
394
8.1 Each gas tight totally-encapsulating PPE materials (and seams) in providing a bar-
chemical protective suit tested by this prac- rier to these hazards. The amount of protec-
tice shall have the following information re- tion provided by PPE is material-hazard spe-
corded. cific. That is, protective equipment mate-
8.1.1 Unique identification number, iden- rials will protect well against some haz-
tifying brand name, date of purchase, mate- ardous substances and poorly, or not at all,
rial of construction, and unique suit fea- against others. In many instances, protec-
tures; e.g., special breathing apparatus. tive equipment materials cannot be found
8.1.2 General description of test room which will provide continuous protection
used for test. from the particular hazardous substance. In
8.1.3 Brand name and purchase date of these cases the breakthrough time of the
ammonia detector strips and color change protective material should exceed the work
data. durations.
8.1.4 Brand name, sampling range, and ex- Other factors in this selection process to
piration date of the length of stain ammonia be considered are matching the PPE to the
detector tubes. The brand name and model of employee’s work requirements and task-spe-
the sampling pump should also be recorded. cific conditions. The durability of PPE mate-
If another type of ammonia detector is used, rials, such as tear strength and seam
it should be identified along with its min- strength, should be considered in relation to
imum detection limit for ammonia. the employee’s tasks. The effects of PPE in
8.1.5 Actual test results shall list the two relation to heat stress and task duration are
test area concentrations, their average, the a factor in selecting and using PPE. In some
interior suit concentration, and the cal- cases layers of PPE may be necessary to pro-
culated intrusion coefficient. Retest data vide sufficient protection, or to protect ex-
shall be recorded as an additional test. pensive PPE inner garments, suits or equip-
8.2 The evaluation of the data shall be ment.
specified as ‘‘suit passed’’ or ‘‘suit failed,’’ The more that is known about the hazards
and the date of the test. Any detectable am- at the site, the easier the job of PPE selec-
monia (five ppm or greater for the length of tion becomes. As more information about
stain detector tube) in the suit interior indi- the hazards and conditions at the site be-
cates the suit has failed this test. When comes available, the site supervisor can
other ammonia detectors are used, a lower make decisions to up-grade or down-grade
level of detection is possible and it should be the level of PPE protection to match the
specified as the pass fail criteria. tasks at hand.
The following are guidelines which an em-
CAUTION ployer can use to begin the selection of the
appropriate PPE. As noted above, the site in-
Visually inspect all parts of the suit to be formation may suggest the use of combina-
sure they are positioned correctly and se- tions of PPE selected from the different pro-
cured tightly before putting the suit back tection levels (i.e., A, B, C, or D) as being
into service. Special care should be taken to more suitable to the hazards of the work. It
examine each exhaust valve to make sure it should be cautioned that the listing below
is not blocked. does not fully address the performance of the
Care should also be exercised to assure specific PPE material in relation to the spe-
that the inside and outside of the suit is cific hazards at the job site, and that PPE
completely dry before it is put into storage. selection, evaluation and re-selection is an
APPENDIX B TO § 1910.120—GENERAL DESCRIP- ongoing process until sufficient information
TION AND DISCUSSION OF THE LEVELS OF
about the hazards and PPE performance is
PROTECTION AND PROTECTIVE GEAR obtained.
Part A. Personal protective equipment is
This appendix sets forth information about divided into four categories based on the de-
personal protective equipment (PPE) protec- gree of protection afforded. (See Part B of
tion levels which may be used to assist em- this appendix for further explanation of Lev-
ployers in complying with the PPE require- els A, B, C, and D hazards.)
ments of this section. I. Level A—To be selected when the great-
As required by the standard, PPE must be est level of skin, respiratory, and eye protec-
selected which will protect employees from tion is required.
the specific hazards which they are likely to The following constitute Level A equip-
encounter during their work on-site. ment; it may be used as appropriate;
Selection of the appropriate PPE is a com- 1. Positive pressure, full face-piece self-
plex process which should take into consider- contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), or
ation a variety of factors. Key factors in- positive pressure supplied air respirator with
volved in this process are identification of escape SCBA, approved by the National In-
the hazards, or suspected hazards; their stitute for Occupational Safety and Health
routes of potential hazard to employees (in- (NIOSH).
halation, skin absorption, ingestion, and eye 2. Totally-encapsulating chemical-protec-
or skin contact); and the performance of the tive suit.
395
3. Coveralls. 1 5. Safety glasses or chemical splash
4. Long underwear. 1 goggles*.
5. Gloves, outer, chemical-resistant. 6. Hard hat. 1
6. Gloves, inner, chemical-resistant. 7. Escape mask. 1
7. Boots, chemical-resistant, steel toe and 8. Face shield. 1
shank. Part B. The types of hazards for which lev-
8. Hard hat (under suit). 1 els A, B, C, and D protection are appropriate
9. Disposable protective suit, gloves and are described below:
boots (depending on suit construction, may I. Level A—Level A protection should be
be worn over totally-encapsulating suit). used when:
II. Level B—The highest level of res- 1. The hazardous substance has been iden-
piratory protection is necessary but a lesser tified and requires the highest level of pro-
level of skin protection is needed. tection for skin, eyes, and the respiratory
The following constitute Level B equip- system based on either the measured (or po-
ment; it may be used as appropriate. tential for) high concentration of atmos-
1. Positive pressure, full-facepiece self-con-
pheric vapors, gases, or particulates; or the
tained breathing apparatus (SCBA), or posi-
site operations and work functions involve a
tive pressure supplied air respirator with es-
high potential for splash, immersion, or ex-
cape SCBA (NIOSH approved).
posure to unexpected vapors, gases, or par-
2. Hooded chemical-resistant clothing
ticulates of materials that are harmful to
(overalls and long-sleeved jacket; coveralls;
skin or capable of being absorbed through
one or two-piece chemical-splash suit; dis-
the skin;
posable chemical-resistant overalls).
3. Coveralls. 1 2. Substances with a high degree of hazard
4. Gloves, outer, chemical-resistant. to the skin are known or suspected to be
5. Gloves, inner, chemical-resistant. present, and skin contact is possible; or
6. Boots, outer, chemical-resistant steel 3. Operations are being conducted in con-
toe and shank. fined, poorly ventilated areas, and the ab-
7. Boot-covers, outer, chemical-resistant sence of conditions requiring Level A have
(disposable). 1 not yet been determined.
8. Hard hat. 1 II. Level B—Level B protection should be
9. [Reserved] used when:
10. Face shield. 1 1. The type and atmospheric concentration
III. Level C—The concentration(s) and of substances have been identified and re-
type(s) of airborne substance(s) is known and quire a high level of respiratory protection,
the criteria for using air purifying res- but less skin protection;
pirators are met. 2. The atmosphere contains less than 19.5
The following constitute Level C equip- percent oxygen; or
ment; it may be used as appropriate. 3. The presence of incompletely identified
1. Full-face or half-mask, air purifying res- vapors or gases is indicated by a direct-read-
pirators (NIOSH approved). ing organic vapor detection instrument, but
2. Hooded chemical-resistant clothing vapors and gases are not suspected of con-
(overalls; two-piece chemical-splash suit; taining high levels of chemicals harmful to
disposable chemical-resistant overalls). skin or capable of being absorbed through
3. Coveralls. 1 the skin.
4. Gloves, outer, chemical-resistant. NOTE: This involves atmospheres with
5. Gloves, inner, chemical-resistant. IDLH concentrations of specific substances
6. Boots (outer), chemical-resistant steel that present severe inhalation hazards and
toe and shank. 1 that do not represent a severe skin hazard;
7. Boot-covers, outer, chemical-resistant or that do not meet the criteria for use of
(disposable) 1. air-purifying respirators.
8. Hard hat. 1 III. Level C—Level C protection should be
9. Escape mask. 1 used when:
10. Face shield. 1 1. The atmospheric contaminants, liquid
IV. Level D—A work uniform affording splashes, or other direct contact will not ad-
minimal protection, used for nuisance con- versely affect or be absorbed through any ex-
tamination only. posed skin;
The following constitute Level D equip- 2. The types of air contaminants have been
ment; it may be used as appropriate: identified, concentrations measured, and an
1. Coveralls. air-purifying respirator is available that can
2. Gloves. 1 remove the contaminants; and
3. Boots/shoes, chemical-resistant steel toe 3. All criteria for the use of air-purifying
and shank.
respirators are met.

4. Boots, outer, chemical-resistant (dispos- IV. Level D—Level D protection should be
able). 1 used when:
1. The atmosphere contains no known haz-
1 Optional, as applicable. ard; and
396
2. Work functions preclude splashes, im- and health responsibilities are for their em-
mersion, or the potential for unexpected in- ployees on the site. Each contractor on the
halation of or contact with hazardous levels site needs to have its own safety and health
of any chemicals. program so structured that it will smoothly
NOTE: As stated before, combinations of interface with the program of the site coor-
personal protective equipment other than dinator or principal contractor.
those described for Levels A, B, C, and D pro- Also those employers involved with treat-
tection may be more appropriate and may be ing, storing or disposal of hazardous waste as
used to provide the proper level of protec- covered in paragraph (p) must have imple-
tion. mented a safety and health program for their
As an aid in selecting suitable chemical employees. This program is to include the
protective clothing, it should be noted that hazard communication program required in
the National Fire Protection Association paragraph (p)(1) and the training required in
(NFPA) has developed standards on chemical paragraphs (p)(7) and (p)(8) as parts of the
protective clothing. The standards that have employers comprehensive overall safety and
been adopted by include: health program. This program is to be in
NFPA 1991—Standard on Vapor-Protective writing.
Suits for Hazardous Chemical Emergencies Each site or workplace safety and health
(EPA Level A Protective Clothing). program will need to include the following:
NFPA 1992—Standard on Liquid Splash- (1) Policy statements of the line of authority
Protective Suits for Hazardous Chemical and accountability for implementing the
Emergencies (EPA Level B Protective Cloth- program, the objectives of the program and
ing). the role of the site safety and health super-
NFPA 1993—Standard on Liquid Splash- visor or manager and staff; (2) means or
Protective Suits for Non-emergency, Non- methods for the development of procedures
flammable Hazardous Chemical Situations for identifying and controlling workplace
(EPA Level B Protective Clothing). hazards at the site; (3) means or methods for
These standards apply documentation and the development and communication to em-
performance requirements to the manufac- ployees of the various plans, work rules,
ture of chemical protective suits. Chemical standard operating procedures and practices
protective suits meeting these requirements that pertain to individual employees and su-
are labelled as compliant with the appro- pervisors; (4) means for the training of super-
priate standard. It is recommended that visors and employees to develop the needed
chemical protective suits that meet these skills and knowledge to perform their work
standards be used. in a safe and healthful manner; (5) means to
anticipate and prepare for emergency situa-
APPENDIX C TO § 1910.120—COMPLIANCE tions; and (6) means for obtaining informa-
GUIDELINES tion feedback to aid in evaluating the pro-
1. Occupational Safety and Health Program. gram and for improving the effectiveness of
Each hazardous waste site clean-up effort the program. The management and employ-
will require an occupational safety and ees should be trying continually to improve
health program headed by the site coordi- the effectiveness of the program thereby en-
nator or the employer’s representative. The hancing the protection being afforded those
purpose of the program will be the protec- working on the site.
tion of employees at the site and will be an Accidents on the site or workplace should
extension of the employer’s overall safety be investigated to provide information on
and health program. The program will need how such occurrences can be avoided in the
to be developed before work begins on the future. When injuries or illnesses occur on
site and implemented as work proceeds as the site or workplace, they will need to be
stated in paragraph (b). The program is to fa- investigated to determine what needs to be
cilitate coordination and communication of done to prevent this incident from occurring
safety and health issues among personnel re- again. Such information will need to be used
sponsible for the various activities which as feedback on the effectiveness of the pro-
will take place at the site. It will provide the gram and the information turned into posi-
overall means for planning and imple- tive steps to prevent any reoccurrence. Re-
menting the needed safety and health train- ceipt of employee suggestions or complaints
ing and job orientation of employees who relating to safety and health issues involved
will be working at the site. The program will with site or workplace activities is also a
provide the means for identifying and con- feedback mechanism that can be used effec-
trolling worksite hazards and the means for tively to improve the program and may serve
monitoring program effectiveness. The pro- in part as an evaluative tool(s).
gram will need to cover the responsibilities For the development and implementation
and authority of the site coordinator or the of the program to be the most effective, pro-
employer’s manager on the site for the safe- fessional safety and health personnel should
ty and health of employees at the site, and be used. Certified Safety Professionals,
the relationships with contractors or support Board Certified Industrial Hygienists or Reg-
services as to what each employer’s safety istered Professional Safety Engineers are
397
good examples of professional stature for team including the use of plugging and
safety and health managers who will admin- patching equipment and other subject areas.
ister the employer’s program. Officers and leaders who may be expected
2. Training. The training programs for em- to be in charge at an incident should be fully
ployees subject to the requirements of para- knowledgeable of their company’s incident
graph (e) of this standard should address: the command system. They should know where
safety and health hazards employees should and how to obtain additional assistance and
expect to find on hazardous waste clean-up be familiar with the local district’s emer-
sites; what control measures or techniques gency response plan and the state emergency
are effective for those hazards; what moni- response plan.
toring procedures are effective in character- Specialist employees such as technical ex-
izing exposure levels; what makes an effec- perts, medical experts or environmental ex-
tive employer’s safety and health program; perts that work with hazardous materials in
what a site safety and health plan should in- their regular jobs, who may be sent to the
clude; hands on training with personal pro- incident scene by the shipper, manufacturer
tective equipment and clothing they may be or governmental agency to advise and assist
expected to use; the contents of the OSHA the person in charge of the incident should
standard relevant to the employee’s duties have training on an annual basis. Their
and function; and, employee’s responsibil- training should include the care and use of
ities under OSHA and other regulations. Su- personal protective equipment including res-
pervisors will need training in their respon- pirators; knowledge of the incident com-
sibilities under the safety and health pro- mand system and how they are to relate to
gram and its subject areas such as the spill it; and those areas needed to keep them cur-
containment program, the personal protec- rent in their respective field as it relates to
tive equipment program, the medical sur- safety and health involving specific haz-
veillance program, the emergency response ardous substances.
Those skilled support personnel, such as
plan and other areas.
employees who work for public works depart-
The training programs for employees sub- ments or equipment operators who operate
ject to the requirements of paragraph (p) of bulldozers, sand trucks, backhoes, etc., who
this standard should address: the employers may be called to the incident scene to pro-
safety and health program elements impact- vide emergency support assistance, should
ing employees; the hazard communication have at least a safety and health briefing be-
program; the medical surveillance program; fore entering the area of potential or actual
the hazards and the controls for such hazards exposure. These skilled support personnel,
that employees need to know for their job who have not been a part of the emergency
duties and functions. All require annual re- response plan and do not meet the training
fresher training. requirements, should be made aware of the
The training programs for employees cov- hazards they face and should be provided all
ered by the requirements of paragraph (q) of necessary protective clothing and equipment
this standard should address those com- required for their tasks.
petencies required for the various levels of There are two National Fire Protection As-
response such as: the hazards associated with sociation standards, NFPA 472—‘‘Standard
hazardous substances; hazard identification for Professional Competence of Responders
and awareness; notification of appropriate to Hazardous Material Incidents’’ and NFPA
persons; the need for and use of personal pro- 471—‘‘Recommended Practice for Responding
tective equipment including respirators; the to Hazardous Material Incidents’’, which are
decontamination procedures to be used; excellent resource documents to aid fire de-
preplanning activities for hazardous sub- partments and other emergency response or-
stance incidents including the emergency ganizations in developing their training pro-
reponse plan; company standard operating gram materials. NFPA 472 provides guidance
procedures for hazardous substance emer- on the skills and knowledge needed for first
gency responses; the use of the incident com- responder awareness level, first responder
mand system and other subjects. Hands-on operations level, hazmat technicians, and
training should be stressed whenever pos- hazmat specialist. It also offers guidance for
sible. Critiques done after an incident which the officer corp who will be in charge of haz-
include an evaluation of what worked and ardous substance incidents.
what did not and how could the incident be 3. Decontamination. Decontamination pro-
better handled the next time may be counted cedures should be tailored to the specific
as training time. hazards of the site, and may vary in com-
For hazardous materials specialists (usu- plexity and number of steps, depending on
ally members of hazardous materials teams), the level of hazard and the employee’s expo-
the training should address the care, use and/ sure to the hazard. Decontamination proce-
or testing of chemical protective clothing in- dures and PPE decontamination methods
cluding totally encapsulating suits, the med- will vary depending upon the specific sub-
ical surveillance program, the standard oper- stance, since one procedure or method may
ating procedures for the hazardous materials not work for all substances. Evaluation of
398
decontamination methods and procedures include hazard identification, medical moni-
should be performed, as necessary, to assure toring, environmental surveillance, selec-
that employees are not exposed to hazards tion, use, maintenance, and decontamination
by re-using PPE. References in appendix D of PPE and its associated training.
may be used for guidance in establishing an The written PPE program should include
effective decontamination program. In addi- policy statements, procedures, and guide-
tion, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Manual, ‘‘Policy lines. Copies should be made available to all
Guidance for Response to Hazardous Chem- employees, and a reference copy should be
ical Releases,’’ U.S. Department of Transpor- made available at the worksite. Technical
tation, Washington, DC (COMDTINST data on equipment, maintenance manuals,
M16465.30) is a good reference for establishing relevant regulations, and other essential in-
an effective decontamination program. formation should also be collected and main-
4. Emergency response plans. States, along
tained.
with designated districts within the states,
will be developing or have developed local 6. Incident command system (ICS). Paragraph
emergency response plans. These state and 1910.120(q)(3)(ii) requires the implementation
district plans should be utilized in the emer- of an ICS. The ICS is an organized approach
gency response plans called for in the stand- to effectively control and manage operations
ard. Each employer should assure that its at an emergency incident. The individual in
emergency response plan is compatible with charge of the ICS is the senior official re-
the local plan. The major reference being sponding to the incident. The ICS is not
used to aid in developing the state and local much different than the ‘‘command post’’ ap-
district plans is the Hazardous Materials proach used for many years by the fire serv-
Emergency Planning Guide, NRT–1. The cur- ice. During large complex fires involving sev-
rent Emergency Response Guidebook from eral companies and many pieces of appa-
the U.S. Department of Transportation, ratus, a command post would be established.
CMA’s CHEMTREC and the Fire Service This enabled one individual to be in charge of
Emergency Management Handbook may also managing the incident, rather than having
be used as resources. several officers from different companies
Employers involved with treatment, stor- making separate, and sometimes conflicting,
age, and disposal facilities for hazardous decisions. The individual in charge of the
waste, which have the required contingency command post would delegate responsibility
plan called for by their permit, would not for performing various tasks to subordinate
need to duplicate the same planning ele- officers. Additionally, all communications
ments. Those items of the emergency re- were routed through the command post to
sponse plan that are properly addressed in reduce the number of radio transmissions
the contingency plan may be substituted and eliminate confusion. However, strategy,
into the emergency response plan required in tactics, and all decisions were made by one
1910.120 or otherwise kept together for em- individual.
ployer and employee use. The ICS is a very similar system, except it
5. Personal protective equipment programs. is implemented for emergency response to
The purpose of personal protective clothing all incidents, both large and small, that in-
and equipment (PPE) is to shield or isolate volve hazardous substances.
individuals from the chemical, physical, and
For a small incident, the individual in
biologic hazards that may be encountered at
charge of the ICS may perform many tasks
a hazardous substance site.
of the ICS. There may not be any, or little,
As discussed in appendix B, no single com-
delegation of tasks to subordinates. For ex-
bination of protective equipment and cloth-
ample, in response to a small incident, the
ing is capable of protecting against all haz-
individual in charge of the ICS, in addition
ards. Thus PPE should be used in conjunc-
tion with other protective methods and its to normal command activities, may become
effectiveness evaluated periodically. the safety officer and may designate only
The use of PPE can itself create significant one employee (with proper equipment) as a
worker hazards, such as heat stress, physical back-up to provide assistance if needed.
and psychological stress, and impaired vi- OSHA does recommend, however, that at
sion, mobility, and communication. For any least two employees be designated as back-
given situation, equipment and clothing up personnel since the assistance needed
should be selected that provide an adequate may include rescue.
level of protection. However, over-protec- To illustrate the operation of the ICS, the
tion, as well as under-protection, can be haz- following scenario might develop during a
ardous and should be avoided where possible. small incident, such as an overturned tank
Two basic objectives of any PPE program truck with a small leak of flammable liquid.
should be to protect the wearer from safety The first responding senior officer would
and health hazards, and to prevent injury to implement and take command of the ICS.
the wearer from incorrect use and/or mal- That person would size-up the incident and
function of the PPE. To accomplish these determine if additional personnel and appa-
goals, a comprehensive PPE program should ratus were necessary; would determine what
399
actions to take to control the leak; and, de- triage area; hazard monitoring plan (air con-
termine the proper level of personal protec- taminate monitoring, etc.); decontamination
tive equipment. If additional assistance is procedures and area; and other relevant
not needed, the individual in charge of the areas. This plan should be a part of the em-
ICS would implement actions to stop and ployer’s emergency response plan or an ex-
control the leak using the fewest number of tension of it to the specific site.
personnel that can effectively accomplish 8. Medical surveillance programs. Workers
the tasks. The individual in charge of the handling hazardous substances may be ex-
ICS then would designate himself as the safe- posed to toxic chemicals, safety hazards, bio-
ty officer and two other employees as a logic hazards, and radiation. Therefore, a
back-up in case rescue may become nec- medical surveillance program is essential to
essary. In this scenario, decontamination assess and monitor workers’ health and fit-
procedures would not be necessary. ness for employment in hazardous waste op-
A large complex incident may require erations and during the course of work; to
many employees and difficult, time-con- provide emergency and other treatment as
suming efforts to control. In these situa- needed; and to keep accurate records for fu-
tions, the individual in charge of the ICS will ture reference.
want to delegate different tasks to subordi- The Occupational Safety and Health Guid-
nates in order to maintain a span of control ance Manual for Hazardous Waste Site Activi-
that will keep the number of subordinates, ties developed by the National Institute for
that are reporting, to a manageable level. Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
Delegation of task at large incidents may the Occupational Safety and Health Admin-
be by location, where the incident scene is istration (OSHA), the U.S. Coast Guard
divided into sectors, and subordinate officers (USCG), and the Environmental Protection
coordinate activities within the sector that Agency (EPA); October 1985 provides an ex-
they have been assigned. cellent example of the types of medical test-
Delegation of tasks can also be by func- ing that should be done as part of a medical
tion. Some of the functions that the indi- surveillance program.
vidual in charge of the ICS may want to del- 9. New Technology and Spill Containment
egate at a large incident are: medical serv- Programs. Where hazardous substances may
ices; evacuation; water supply; resources be released by spilling from a container that
(equipment, apparatus); media relations; will expose employees to the hazards of the
safety; and, site control (integrate activities materials, the employer will need to imple-
with police for crowd and traffic control). ment a program to contain and control the
Also for a large incident, the individual in spilled material. Diking and ditching, as well
charge of the ICS will designate several em- as use of absorbents like diatomaceous
ployees as back-up personnel; and a number earth, are traditional techniques which have
of safety officers to monitor conditions and proven to be effective over the years. How-
recommend safety precautions. ever, in recent years new products have come
Therefore, no matter what size or com- into the marketplace, the use of which com-
plexity an incident may be, by implementing plement and increase the effectiveness of
an ICS there will be one individual in charge these traditional methods. These new prod-
who makes the decisions and gives direc- ucts also provide emergency responders and
tions; and, all actions, and communications others with additional tools or agents to use
are coordinated through one central point of to reduce the hazards of spilled materials.
command. Such a system should reduce con- These agents can be rapidly applied over a
fusion, improve safety, organize and coordi- large area and can be uniformly applied or
nate actions, and should facilitate effective otherwise can be used to build a small dam,
management of the incident. thus improving the workers’ ability to con-
7. Site Safety and Control Plans. The safety trol spilled material. These application tech-
and security of response personnel and oth- niques enhance the intimate contact be-
ers in the area of an emergeny response inci- tween the agent and the spilled material al-
dent site should be of primary concern to the lowing for the quickest effect by the agent or
incident commander. The use of a site safety quickest control of the spilled material.
and control plan could greatly assist those in Agents are available to solidify liquid spilled
charge of assuring the safety and health of materials, to suppress vapor generation from
employees on the site. spilled materials, and to do both. Some spe-
A comprehensive site safety and control cial agents, which when applied as rec-
plan should include the following: summary ommended by the manufacturer, will react
analysis of hazards on the site and a risk in a controlled manner with the spilled ma-
analysis of those hazards; site map or terial to neutralize acids or caustics, or
sketch; site work zones (clean zone, transi- greatly reduce the level of hazard of the
tion or decontamination zone, work or hot spilled material.

zone); use of the buddy system; site commu- There are several modern methods and de-
nications; command post or command cen- vices for use by emergency response per-
ter; standard operating procedures and safe sonnel or others involved with spill control
work practices; medical assistance and efforts to safely apply spill control agents to
400
control spilled material hazards. These in- and care of spill control equipment; and in
clude portable pressurized applicators simi- the associated hazards and control of such
lar to hand-held portable fire extinguishing hazards of spill containment work.
devices, and nozzle and hose systems similar These new tools and agents are the things
to portable fire fighting foam systems which that employers will want to evaluate as part
allow the operator to apply the agent with- of their new technology program. The treat-
out having to come into contact with the ment of spills of hazardous substances or
spilled material. The operator is able to wastes at an emergency incident as part of
apply the agent to the spilled material from the immediate spill containment and control
a remote position. efforts is sometimes acceptable to EPA and a
The solidification of liquids provides for permit exception is described in 40 CFR
rapid containment and isolation of haz- 264.1(g)(8) and 265.1(c)(11).
ardous substance spills. By directing the
agent at run-off points or at the edges of the APPENDIX D TO § 1910.120—REFERENCES
spill, the reactant solid will automatically The following references may be consulted
create a barrier to slow or stop the spread of for further information on the subject of this
the material. Clean-up of hazardous sub- standard:
stances is greatly improved when solidifying 1. OSHA Instruction DFO CPL 2.70—Janu-
agents, acid or caustic neutralizers, or acti- ary 29, 1986, Special Emphasis Program: Haz-
vated carbon adsorbents are used. Properly ardous Waste Sites.
applied, these agents can totally solidify liq- 2. OSHA Instruction DFO CPL 2–2.37A—
uid hazardous substances or neutralize or ab- January 29, 1986, Technical Assistance and
sorb them, which results in materials which Guidelines for Superfund and Other Hazardous
are less hazardous and easier to handle, Waste Site Activities.
transport, and dispose of. The concept of 3. OSHA Instruction DTS CPL 2.74—Janu-
spill treatment, to create less hazardous sub- ary 29, 1986, Hazardous Waste Activity Form,
stances, will improve the safety and level of OSHA 175.
protection of employees working at spill 4. Hazardous Waste Inspections Reference
clean-up operations or emergency response Manual, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupa-
operations to spills of hazardous substances. tional Safety and Health Administration,
The use of vapor suppression agents for 1986.
volatile hazardous substances, such as flam- 5. Memorandum of Understanding Among
mable liquids and those substances which the National Institute for Occupational Safe-
present an inhalation hazard, is important ty and Health, the Occupational Safety and
for protecting workers. The rapid and uni- Health Administration, the United States
form distribution of the agent over the sur- Coast Guard, and the United States Environ-
face of the spilled material can provide quick mental Protection Agency, Guidance for
vapor knockdown. There are temporary and Worker Protection During Hazardous Waste Site
long-term foam-type agents which are effec- Investigations and Clean-up and Hazardous
tive on vapors and dusts, and activated car- Substance Emergencies. December 18, 1980.
bon adsorption agents which are effective for 6. National Priorities List, 1st Edition, Octo-
vapor control and soaking-up of the liquid. ber 1984; U.S. Environmental Protection
The proper use of hose lines or hand-held Agency, Revised periodically.
portable pressurized applicators provides 7. The Decontamination of Response Per-
good mobility and permits the worker to de- sonnel, Field Standard Operating Procedures
liver the agent from a safe distance without (F.S.O.P.) 7; U.S. Environmental Protection
having to step into the untreated spilled ma- Agency, Office of Emergency and Remedial
terial. Some of these systems can be re- Response, Hazardous Response Support Divi-
charged in the field to provide coverage of sion, December 1984.
larger spill areas than the design limits of a 8. Preparation of a Site Safety Plan, Field
single charged applicator unit. Some of the Standard Operating Procedures (F.S.O.P.) 9;
more effective agents can solidify the liquid U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Of-
flammable hazardous substances and at the fice of Emergency and Remedial Response,
same time elevate the flashpoint above 140 Hazardous Response Support Division, April
°F so the resulting substance may be handled 1985.
as a nonhazardous waste material if it meets 9. Standard Operating Safety Guidelines; U.S.
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
40 CFR part 261 requirements (See particu- Emergency and Remedial Response, Haz-
larly § 261.21). ardous Response Support Division, Environ-
All workers performing hazardous sub- mental Response Team; November 1984.
stance spill control work are expected to 10. Occupational Safety and Health Guidance
wear the proper protective clothing and Manual for Hazardous Waste Site Activities,
equipment for the materials present and to National Institute for Occupational Safety
follow the employer’s established standard and Health (NIOSH), Occupational Safety
operating procedures for spill control. All in- and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S.
volved workers need to be trained in the es- Coast Guard (USCG), and Environmental
tablished operating procedures; in the use Protection Agency (EPA); October 1985.
401
11. Protecting Health and Safety at Haz- riculum for any specific employer. Site-spe-
ardous Waste Sites: An Overview, U.S. Envi- cific training programs must be developed on
ronmental Protection Agency, EPA/625/9–85/ the basis of a needs assessment of the haz-
006; September 1985. ardous waste site, RCRA/TSDF, or emer-
12. Hazardous Waste Sites and Hazardous gency response operation in accordance with
Substance Emergencies, NIOSH Worker Bul- 29 CFR 1910.120.
letin, U.S. Department of Health and Human It is noted that the legal requirements are
Services, Public Health Service, Centers for set forth in the regulatory text of § 1910.120.
Disease Control, National Institute for Occu- The guidance set forth here presents a highly
pational Safety and Health; December 1982. effective program that in the areas covered
13. Personal Protective Equipment for Haz- would meet or exceed the regulatory require-
ardous Materials Incidents: A Selection Guide; ments. In addition, other approaches could
U.S. Department of Health and Human Serv- meet the regulatory requirements.
ices, Public Health Service, Centers for Dis-
ease Control, National Institute for Occupa- Suggested General Criteria
tional Safety and Health; October 1984.
Definitions:
14. Fire Service Emergency Management
‘‘Competent’’ means possessing the skills,
Handbook, International Association of Fire
knowledge, experience, and judgment to per-
Chiefs Foundation, 101 East Holly Avenue,
form assigned tasks or activities satisfac-
Unit 10B, Sterling, VA 22170, January 1985.
torily as determined by the employer.
15. Emergency Response Guidebook, U.S De-
‘‘Demonstration’’ means the showing by
partment of Transportation, Washington,
actual use of equipment or procedures.
DC, 1987.
16. Report to the Congress on Hazardous Ma- ‘‘Hands-on training’’ means training in a
terials Training, Planning and Preparedness, simulated work environment that permits
Federal Emergency Management Agency, each student to have experience performing
Washington, DC, July 1986. tasks, making decisions, or using equipment
17. Workbook for Fire Command, Alan V. appropriate to the job assignment for which
Brunacini and J. David Beageron, National the training is being conducted.
Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch ‘‘Initial training’’ means training required
Park, Quincy, MA 02269, 1985. prior to beginning work.
18. Fire Command, Alan V. Brunacini, Na- ‘‘Lecture’’ means an interactive discourse
tional Fire Protection Association, with a class lead by an instructor.
Batterymarch Park,, Quincy, MA 02269, 1985. ‘‘Proficient’’ means meeting a stated level
19. Incident Command System, Fire Protec- of achievement.
tion Publications, Oklahoma State Univer- ‘‘Site-specific’’ means individual training
sity, Stillwater, OK 74078, 1983. directed to the operations of a specific job
20. Site Emergency Response Planning, Chem- site.
ical Manufacturers Association, Washington, ‘‘Training hours’’ means the number of
DC 20037, 1986. hours devoted to lecture, learning activities,
21. Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning small group work sessions, demonstration,
Guide, NRT–1, Environmental Protection evaluations, or hands-on experience.
Agency, Washington, DC, March 1987. Suggested core criteria:
22. Community Teamwork: Working Together
1. Training facility. The training facility
to Promote Hazardous Materials Transportation
should have available sufficient resources,
Safety. U.S. Department of Transportation,
equipment, and site locations to perform di-
Washington, DC, May 1983.
dactic and hands-on training when appro-
23. Disaster Planning Guide for Business and
priate. Training facilities should have suffi-
Industry, Federal Emergency Management
cient organization, support staff, and serv-
Agency, Publication No. FEMA 141, August
ices to conduct training in each of the
1987.
courses offered.
(The Office of Management and Budget has 2. Training Director. Each training program
approved the information collection require- should be under the direction of a training
ments in this section under control number director who is responsible for the program.
1218–0139) The Training Director should have a min-
imum of two years of employee education ex-
APPENDIX E TO § 1910.120—TRAINING perience.
CURRICULUM GUIDELINES
3. Instructors. Instructors should be deem
The following non-mandatory general cri- competent on the basis of previous docu-
teria may be used for assistance in devel- mented experience in their area of instruc-
oping site-specific training curriculum used tion, successful completion of a ‘‘train-the-
to meet the training requirements of 29 CFR trainer’’ program specific to the topics they
1910.120(e); 29 CFR 1910.120(p)(7), (p)(8)(iii); will teach, and an evaluation of instruc-
and 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6), (q)(7), and (q)(8). tional competence by the Training Director.
These are generic guidelines and they are Instructors should be required to maintain
not presented as a complete training cur- professional competency by participating in
402
continuing education or professional devel- The content of the written test or of the
opment programs or by completing success- skill demonstration shall be relevant to the
fully an annual refresher course and having objectives of the course. The written test
an annual review by the Training Director. and skill demonstration should be updated as
The annual review by the Training Direc- necessary to reflect changes in the cur-
tor should include observation of an instruc- riculum and any update should be approved
tor’s delivery, a review of those observations by the Training Director.
with the trainer, and an analysis of any in- The proficiency assessment methods, re-
structor or class evaluations completed by gardless of the approach or combination of
the students during the previous year. approaches used, should be justified, docu-
4. Course materials. The Training Director mented and approved by the Training Direc-
should approve all course materials to be tor.
used by the training provider. Course mate- The proficiency of those taking the addi-
rials should be reviewed and updated at least tional courses for supervisors should be eval-
annually. Materials and equipment should be uated and documented by using proficiency
in good working order and maintained prop- assessment methods acceptable to the Train-
erly. ing Director. These proficiency assessment
All written and audio-visual materials in methods must reflect the additional respon-
training curricula should be peer reviewed by sibilities borne by supervisory personnel in
technically competent outside reviewers or hazardous waste operations or emergency re-
by a standing advisory committee. sponse.
Reviews should possess expertise in the fol- 8. Course certificate. Written documentation
lowing disciplines were applicable: occupa- should be provided to each student who sat-
tional health, industrial hygiene and safety, isfactorily completes the training course.
chemical/environmental engineering, em- The documentation should include:
ployee education, or emergency response. a. Student’s name.
One or more of the peer reviewers should be b. Course title.
an employee experienced in the work activi- c. Course date.
ties to which the training is directed. d. Statement that the student has success-
5. Students. The program for accepting stu- fully completed the course.
dents should include: e. Name and address of the training pro-
a. Assurance that the student is or will be vider.
involved in work where chemical exposures f. An individual identification number for
are likely and that the student possesses the the certificate.
skills necessary to perform the work. g. List of the levels of personal protective
b. A policy on the necessary medical clear- equipment used by the student to complete
ance. the course.
6. Ratios. Student-instructor ratios should This documentation may include a certifi-
not exceed 30 students per instructor. Hands- cate and an appropriate wallet-sized lami-
on activity requiring the use of personal pro- nated card with a photograph of the student
tective equipment should have the following and the above information. When such
student-instructor ratios. For Level C or course certificate cards are used, the indi-
Level D personal protective equipment the vidual identification number for the training
ratio should be 10 students per instructor. certificate should be shown on the card.
For Level A or Level B personal protective 9. Recordkeeping. Training providers should
equipment the ratio should be 5 students per maintain records listing the dates courses
instructor. were presented, the names of the individual
7. Proficiency assessment. Proficiency should course attenders, the names of those stu-
be evaluated and documented by the use of a dents successfully completing each course,
written assessment and a skill demonstra- and the number of training certificates
tion selected and developed by the Training issued to each successful student. These
Director and training staff. The assessment records should be maintained for a minimum
and demonstration should evaluate the of five years after the date an individual par-
knowledge and individual skills developed in ticipated in a training program offered by
the course of training. The level of minimum the training provider. These records should
achievement necessary for proficiency shall be available and provided upon the student’s
be specified in writing by the Training Direc- request or as mandated by law.
tor. 10. Program quality control. The Training
If a written test is used, there should be a Director should conduct or direct an annual
minimum of 50 questions. If a written test is written audit of the training program. Pro-
used in combination with a skills demonstra- gram modifications to address deficiencies, if
tion, a minimum of 25 questions should be any, should be documented, approved, and

used. If a skills demonstration is used, the implemented by the training provider. The
tasks chosen and the means to rate success- audit and the program modification docu-
ful completion should be fully documented ments should be maintained at the training
by the Training Director. facility.
403
Suggested Program Quality Control Criteria 11. Adequacy of the organization and ap-
propriate resources assigned to assure appro-
Factors listed here are suggested criteria
priate training.
for determining the quality and appropriate-
12. In the case of multiple-site training
ness of employee health and safety training
programs, adequacy of satellite centers man-
for hazardous waste operations and emer-
agement.
gency response.
C. Training facilities and resources.
A. Training Plan.
Adequacy and appropriateness of the facili-
Adequacy and appropriateness of the train-
ties and resources for supporting the train-
ing program’s curriculum development, in-
ing program should be considered, including,
structor training, distribution of course ma-
1. Space and equipment to conduct the
terials, and direct student training should be
training.
considered, including
2. Facilities for representative hands-on
1. The duration of training, course content,
training.
and course schedules/agendas;
3. In the case of multiple-site programs,
2. The different training requirements of
equipment and facilities at the satellite cen-
the various target populations, as specified
ters.
in the appropriate generic training cur-
4. Adequacy and appropriateness of the
riculum;
quality control and evaluations program to
3. The process for the development of cur-
account for instructor performance.
riculum, which includes appropriate tech-
nical input, outside review, evaluation, pro-
quality control and evaluation program to
gram pretesting.
ensure appropriate course evaluation, feed-
4. The adequate and appropriate inclusion
back, updating, and corrective action.
of hands-on, demonstration, and instruction
6. Adequacy and appropriateness of dis-
methods;
ciplines and expertise being used within the
5. Adequate monitoring of student safety,
quality control and evaluation program.
progress, and performance during the train-
ing.
role of student evaluations to provide feed-
B. Program management, Training Director, back for training program improvement.
staff, and consultants.
D. Quality control and evaluation.
Adequacy and appropriateness of staff per-
Adequacy and appropriateness of quality
formance and delivering an effective training
control and evaluation plans for training
program should be considered, including
programs should be considered, including:
1. Demonstration of the training director’s
1. A balanced advisory committee and/or
leadership in assuring quality of health and
competent outside reviewers to give overall
safety training.
policy guidance;
2. Demonstration of the competency of the
2. Clear and adequate definition of the
staff to meet the demands of delivering high
composition and active programmatic role of
quality hazardous waste employee health
the advisory committee or outside reviewers.
and safety training.
3. Adequacy of the minutes or reports of
3. Organization charts establishing clear
the advisory committee or outside reviewers’
lines of authority.
4. Clearly defined staff duties including the meetings or written communication.
relationship of the training staff to the over- 4. Adequacy and appropriateness of the
all program. quality control and evaluations program to
5. Evidence that the training organiza- account for instructor performance.
tional structure suits the needs of the train- 5. Adequacy and appropriateness of the
ing program. quality control and evaluation program to
6. Appropriateness and adequacy of the ensure appropriate course evaluation, feed-
training methods used by the instructors. back, updating, and corrective action.
7. Sufficiency of the time committed by 6. Adequacy and appropriateness of dis-
the training director and staff to the train- ciplines and expertise being used within the
ing program. quality control and evaluation program.
8. Adequacy of the ratio of training staff to 7. Adequacy and appropriateness of the
students. role of student evaluations to provide feed-
9. Availability and commitment of the back for training program improvement.
training program of adequate human and E. Students
equipment resources in the areas of Adequacy and appropriateness of the pro-
a. Health effects, gram for accepting students should be con-
b. Safety, sidered, including
c. Personal protective equipment (PPE), 1. Assurance that the student already pos-
d. Operational procedures, sess the necessary skills for their job, includ-
e. Employee protection practices/proce- ing necessary documentation.
dures. 2. Appropriateness of methods the program
10. Appropriateness of management con- uses to ensure that recruits are capable of
trols. satisfactorily completing training.
404
3. Review and compliance with any medical (2) The content of a medical surveillance
clearance policy. program as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.120(f).
F. Institutional Environment and Administra- (3) The content of an effective site safety
tive Support and health plan consistent with the require-
The adequacy and appropriateness of the ments of 29 CFR 1910.120(b)(4)(ii).
institutional environment and administra- (4) Emergency response plan and proce-
tive support system for the training program dures as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.38 and 29
should be considered, including CFR 1910.120(l).
1. Adequacy of the institutional commit- (5) Adequate illumination.
ment to the employee training program. (6) Sanitation recommendation and equip-
2. Adequacy and appropriateness of the ad- ment.
ministrative structure and administrative (7) Review and explanation of OSHA’s haz-
support. ard-communication standard (29 CFR
G. Summary of Evaluation Questions 1910.1200) and lock-out-tag-out standard (29
Key questions for evaluating the quality CFR 1910.147).
and appropriateness of an overall training (8) Review of other applicable standards in-
program should include the following: cluding but not limited to those in the con-
1. Are the program objectives clearly stat- struction standards (29 CFR Part 1926).
ed? (9) Rights and responsibilities of employers
2. Is the program accomplishing its objec- and employees under applicable OSHA and
tives? EPA laws.
3. Are appropriate facilities and staff avail- b. Technical knowledge.
able? (1) Type of potential exposures to chem-
4. Is there an appropriate mix of classroom, ical, biological, and radiological hazards;
demonstration, and hands-on training? types of human responses to these hazards
5. Is the program providing quality em-
and recognition of those responses; prin-
ployee health and safety training that fully
ciples of toxicology and information about
meets the intent of regulatory requirements?
acute and chronic hazards; health and safety
6. What are the program’s main strengths?
considerations of new technology.
7. What are the program’s main weak-
nesses? (2) Fundamentals of chemical hazards in-
8. What is recommended to improve the cluding but not limited to vapor pressure,
program? boiling points, flash points, ph, other phys-
9. Are instructors instructing according to ical and chemical properties.
their training outlines? (3) Fire and explosion hazards of chemi-
10. Is the evaluation tool current and ap- cals.
propriate for the program content? (4) General safety hazards such as but not
11. Is the course material current and rel- limited to electrical hazards, powered equip-
evant to the target group? ment hazards, motor vehicle hazards, walk-
ing-working surface hazards, excavation haz-
Suggested Training Curriculum Guidelines ards, and hazards associated with working in
The following training curriculum guide- hot and cold temperature extremes.
lines are for those operations specifically (5) Review and knowledge of confined space
identified in 29 CFR 1910.120 as requiring entry procedures in 29 CFR 1910.146.
training. Issues such as qualifications of in- (6) Work practices to minimize employee
structors, training certification, and similar risk from site hazards.
criteria appropriate to all categories of oper- (7) Safe use of engineering controls, equip-
ations addressed in 1910.120 have been cov- ment, and any new relevant safety tech-
ered in the preceding section and are not re- nology or safety procedures.
addressed in each of the generic guidelines. (8) Review and demonstration of com-
Basic core requirements for training pro- petency with air sampling and monitoring
grams that are addressed include equipment that may be used in a site moni-
1. General Hazardous Waste Operations toring program.
2. RCRA operations—Treatment, storage, (9) Container sampling procedures and
and disposal facilities. safeguarding; general drum and container
3. Emergency Response. handling procedures including special re-
A. General Hazardous Waste Operations and quirement for laboratory waste packs,
Site-specific Training shock-sensitive wastes, and radioactive
1. Off-site training.Training course content wastes.
for hazardous waste operations, required by (10) The elements of a spill control pro-
29 CFR 1910.120(e), should include the fol- gram.
lowing topics or procedures: (11) Proper use and limitations of material

a. Regulatory knowledge. handling equipment.
(1) An review of 29 CFR 1910.120 and the (12) Procedures for safe and healthful prep-
core elements of an occupational safety and aration of containers for shipping and trans-
health program. port.
405
(13) Methods of communication including (f) Review of newly developed air and con-
those used while wearing respiratory protec- taminant monitoring equipment.
tion. 3. On-site training.
c. Technical skills. a. The employer should provide employees
(1) Selection, use maintenance, and limita- engaged in hazardous waste site activities
tions of personal protective equipment in- with information and training prior to ini-
cluding the components and procedures for tial assignment into their work area, as fol-
carrying out a respirator program to comply lows:
with 29 CFR 1910.134. (1) The requirements of the hazard commu-
(2) Instruction in decontamination pro- nication program including the location and
grams including personnel, equipment, and availability of the written program, required
hardware; hands-on training including level lists of hazardous chemicals, and material
A, B, and C ensembles and appropriate de- safety data sheets.
contamination lines; field activities includ- (2) Activities and locations in their work
ing the donning and doffing of protective area where hazardous substance may be
equipment to a level commensurate with the present.
employee’s anticipated job function and re- (3) Methods and observations that may be
sponsibility and to the degree required by used to detect the present or release of a haz-
potential hazards. ardous chemical in the work area (such as
(3) Sources for additional hazard informa- monitoring conducted by the employer, con-
tion; exercises using relevant manuals and tinuous monitoring devices, visual appear-
hazard coding systems. ances, or other evidence (sight, sound or
smell) of hazardous chemicals being released,
d. Additional suggested items.
and applicable alarms from monitoring de-
(1) A laminated, dated card or certificate
vices that record chemical releases.
with photo, denoting limitations and level of
(4) The physical and health hazards of sub-
protection for which the employee is trained
stances known or potentially present in the
should be issued to those students success-
work area.
fully completing a course.
(5) The measures employees can take to
(2) Attendance should be required at all
help protect themselves from work-site haz-
training modules, with successful comple-
ards, including specific procedures the em-
tion of exercises and a final written or oral
ployer has implemented.
examination with at least 50 questions. (6) An explanation of the labeling system
(3) A minimum of one-third of the program
and material safety data sheets and how em-
should be devoted to hands-on exercises. ployees can obtain and use appropriate haz-
(4) A curriculum should be established for
ard information.
the 8-hour refresher training required by 29 (7) The elements of the confined space pro-
CFR 1910.120(e)(8), with delivery of such gram including special PPE, permits, moni-
courses directed toward those areas of pre- toring requirements, communication proce-
vious training that need improvement or re- dures, emergency response, and applicable
emphasis. lock-out procedures.
(5) A curriculum should be established for b. The employer should provide hazardous
the required 8-hour training for supervisors. waste employees information and training
Demonstrated competency in the skills and and should provide a review and access to
knowledge provided in a 40-hour course the site safety and plan as follows:
should be a prerequisite for supervisor train- (1) Names of personnel and alternate re-
ing. sponsible for site safety and health.
2. Refresher training. (2) Safety and health hazards present on
The 8-hour annual refresher training re- the site.
quired in 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(8) should be con- (3) Selection, use, maintenance, and limi-
ducted by qualified training providers. Re- tations of personal protective equipment
fresher training should include at a min- specific to the site.
imum the following topics and procedures: (4) Work practices by which the employee
(a) Review of and retraining on relevant can minimize risks from hazards.
topics covered in the 40-hour program, as ap- (5) Safe use of engineering controls and
propriate, using reports by the students on equipment available on site.
their work experiences. (6) Safe decontamination procedures estab-
(b) Update on developments with respect to lished to minimize employee contact with
material covered in the 40-hour course. hazardous substances, including:
(c) Review of changes to pertinent provi- (A) Employee decontamination,
sions of EPA or OSHA standards or laws. (B) Clothing decontamination, and
(d) Introduction of additional subject areas (C) Equipment decontamination.
as appropriate. (7) Elements of the site emergency re-

(e) Hands-on review of new or altered PPE sponse plan, including:
or decontamination equipment or proce- (A) Pre-emergency planning.
dures. Review of new developments in per- (B) Personnel roles and lines of authority
sonal protective equipment. and communication.
406
(C) Emergency recognition and prevention. (c) General safety hazards including those
(D) Safe distances and places of refuge. associated with electrical hazards, powered
(E) Site security and control. equipment hazards, lock-out-tag-out proce-
(F) Evacuation routes and procedures. dures, motor vehicle hazards and walking-
(G) Decontamination procedures not cov- working surface hazards.
ered by the site safety and health plan. (d) Confined-space hazards and procedures.
(H) Emergency medical treatment and first (e) Work practices to minimize employee
aid. risk from workplace hazards.
(I) Emergency equipment and procedures (f) Emergency response plan and proce-
for handling emergency incidents. dures including first aid meeting the require-
c. The employer should provide hazardous ments of paragraph (p)(8).
waste employees information and training (g) A review of procedures to minimize ex-
on personal protective equipment used at the posure to hazardous waste and various type
site, such as the following: of waste streams, including the materials
(1) PPE to be used based upon known or an- handling program and spill containment pro-
ticipated site hazards. gram.
(2) PPE limitations of materials and con- (h) A review of hazard communication pro-
struction; limitations during temperature grams meeting the requirements of 29 CFR
extremes, heat stress, and other appropriate 1910.1200.
medical considerations; use and limitations (i) A review of medical surveillance pro-
of respirator equipment as well as docu- grams meeting the requirements of 29 CFR
mentation procedures as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.120(p)(3) including the recognition of
1910.134. signs and symptoms of overexposure to haz-
(3) PPE inspection procedures prior to, ardous substance including known syner-
during, and after use. gistic interactions.
(4) PPE donning and doffing procedures. (j) A review of decontamination programs
(5) PPE decontamination and disposal pro- and procedures meeting the requirements of
cedures. 29 CFR 1910.120(p)(4).
(6) PPE maintenance and storage. (k) A review of an employer’s requirements
(7) Task duration as related to PPE limita- to implement a training program and its ele-
tions. ments.
d. The employer should instruct the em- (l) A review of the criteria and programs
ployee about the site medical surveillance for proper selection and use of personal pro-
program relative to the particular site, in- tective equipment, including respirators.
cluding (m) A review of the applicable appendices
(1) Specific medical surveillance programs to 29 CFR 1910.120.
that have been adapted for the site. (n) Principles of toxicology and biological
(2) Specific signs and symptoms related to monitoring as they pertain to occupational
exposure to hazardous materials on the site. health.
(3) The frequency and extent of periodic (o) Rights and responsibilities of employ-
medical examinations that will be used on ees and employers under applicable OSHA
the site. and EPA laws.
(4) Maintenance and availability of (p) Hands-on exercises and demonstrations
records. of competency with equipment to illustrate
(5) Personnel to be contacted and proce- the basic equipment principles that may be
dures to be followed when signs and symp- used during the performance of work duties,
toms of exposures are recognized. including the donning and doffing of PPE.
e. The employees will review and discuss (q) Sources of reference, efficient use of
the site safety plan as part of the training relevant manuals, and knowledge of hazard
program. The location of the site safety plan coding systems to include information con-
and all written programs should be discussed tained in hazardous waste manifests.
with employees including a discussion of the (r) At least 8 hours of hands-on training.
mechanisms for access, review, and ref- (s) Training in the job skills required for
erences described. an employee’s job function and responsi-
B. RCRA Operations Training for Treatment, bility before they are permitted to partici-
Storage and Disposal Facilities. pate in or supervise field activities.
1. As a minimum, the training course re- 2. The individual employer should provide
quired in 29 CFR 1910.120 (p) should include hazardous waste employees with information
the following topics: and training prior to an employee’s initial
(a) Review of the applicable paragraphs of assignment into a work area. The training
29 CFR 1910.120 and the elements of the em- and information should cover the following
ployer’s occupational safety and health plan. topics:
(b) Review of relevant hazards such as, but (a) The Emergency response plan and pro-
not limited to, chemical, biological, and ra- cedures including first aid.
diological exposures; fire and explosion haz- (b) A review of the employer’s hazardous
ards; thermal extremes; and physical haz- waste handling procedures including the ma-
ards. terials handling program and elements of the
407
spill containment program, location of spill or potential release of hazardous substances
response kits or equipment, and the names of in the community.
those trained to respond to releases. a. General considerations.
(c) The hazardous communication program Emergency response organizations are re-
meeting the requirements of 29 CFR quired to consider the topics listed in
1910.1200. § 1910.120(q)(6). Emergency response organiza-
(d) A review of the employer’s medical sur- tions may use some or all of the following
veillance program including the recognition topics to supplement those mandatory topics
of signs and symptoms of exposure to rel- when developing their response training pro-
evant hazardous substance including known grams. Many of the topics would require an
synergistic interactions. interaction between the response provider
(e) A review of the employer’s decon- and the individuals responsible for the site
tamination program and procedures. where the response would be expected.
(f) An review of the employer’s training (1) Hazard recognition, including:
program and the parties responsible for that (A) Nature of hazardous substances
program. present,
(g) A review of the employer’s personal (B) Practical applications of hazard rec-
protective equipment program including the ognition, including presentations on biology,
proper selection and use of PPE based upon chemistry, and physics.
specific site hazards. (2) Principles of toxicology, biological
(h) All relevant site-specific procedures ad- monitoring, and risk assessment.
dressing potential safety and health hazards. (3) Safe work practices and general site
This may include, as appropriate, biological safety.
and radiological exposures, fire and explo- (4) Engineering controls and hazardous
sion hazards, thermal hazards, and physical waste operations.
hazards such as electrical hazards, powered (5) Site safety plans and standard oper-
equipment hazards, lock-out-tag-out haz- ating procedures.
ards, motor vehicle hazards, and walking- (6) Decontamination procedures and prac-
working surface hazards. tices.
(i) Safe use engineering controls and equip- (7) Emergency procedures, first aid, and
ment on site. self-rescue.
(j) Names of personnel and alternates re- (8) Safe use of field equipment.
sponsible for safety and health. (9) Storage, handling, use and transpor-
C. Emergency response training. tation of hazardous substances.
Federal OSHA standards in 29 CFR (10) Use, care, and limitations of personal
1910.120(q) are directed toward private sector protective equipment.
emergency responders. Therefore, the guide- (11) Safe sampling techniques.
lines provided in this portion of the appendix (12) Rights and responsibilities of employ-
are directed toward that employee popu- ees under OSHA and other related laws con-
lation. However, they also impact indirectly cerning right-to-know, safety and health,
through State OSHA or USEPA regulations compensations and liability.
some public sector emergency responders. (13) Medical monitoring requirements.
Therefore, the guidelines provided in this (14) Community relations.
portion of the appendix may be applied to b. Suggested criteria for specific courses.
both employee populations. (1) First responder awareness level.
States with OSHA state plans must cover (A) Review of and demonstration of com-
their employees with regulations at least as petency in performing the applicable skills
effective as the Federal OSHA standards. of 29 CFR 1910.120(q).
Public employees in states without approved (B) Hands-on experience with the U.S. De-
state OSHA programs covering hazardous partment of Transportation’s Emergency Re-
waste operations and emergency response sponse Guidebook (ERG) and familiarization
are covered by the U.S. EPA under 40 CFR with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1201.
311, a regulation virtually identical to (C) Review of the principles and practices
§ 1910.120. for analyzing an incident to determine both
Since this is a non-mandatory appendix the hazardous substances present and the
and therefore not an enforceable standard, basic hazard and response information for
OSHA recommends that those employers, each hazardous substance present.
employees or volunteers in public sector (D) Review of procedures for implementing
emergency response organizations outside actions consistent with the local emergency
Federal OSHA jurisdiction consider the fol- response plan, the organization’s standard
lowing criteria in developing their own operating procedures, and the current edi-
training programs. A unified approach to tion of DOT’s ERG including emergency no-
training at the community level between tification procedures and follow-up commu-
emergency response organizations covered nications.
by Federal OSHA and those not covered di- (E) Review of the expected hazards includ-
rectly by Federal OSHA can help ensure an ing fire and explosions hazards, confined
effective community response to the release space hazards, electrical hazards, powered
408
equipment hazards, motor vehicle hazards, releases. Familiarization with OSHA stand-
and walking-working surface hazards. ard 29 CFR 1910.1201.
(F) Awareness and knowledge of the com- (C) Review of the principles and practices
petencies for the First Responder at the for analyzing an incident to determine the
Awareness Level covered in the National hazardous substances present, their physical
Fire Protection Association’s Standard No. and chemical properties, the likely behavior
472, Professional Competence of Responders to of the hazardous substance and its container,
Hazardous Materials Incidents. the types of hazardous substance transpor-
(2) First responder operations level. tation containers and vehicles involved in
(A) Review of and demonstration of com- the release, the appropriate strategy for ap-
petency in performing the applicable skills proaching release sites and containing the
of 29 CFR 1910.120(q). release.
(B) Hands-on experience with the U.S. De- (D) Review of procedures for implementing
partment of Transportation’s Emergency Re- continuing response actions consistent with
sponse Guidebook (ERG), manufacturer ma- the local emergency response plan, the orga-
terial safety data sheets, CHEMTREC/ nization’s standard operating procedures,
CANUTEC, shipper or manufacturer con- and the current edition of DOT’s ERG in-
tacts, and other relevant sources of informa- cluding extended emergency notification
tion addressing hazardous substance re- procedures and follow-up communications.
leases. Familiarization with OSHA standard (E) Review of the principles and practice
29 CFR 1910.1201. for proper selection and use of personal pro-
tective equipment.
(C) Review of the principles and practices
(F) Review of the principles and practices
for analyzing an incident to determine the
of establishing exposure zones, proper decon-
hazardous substances present, the likely be-
tamination and medical surveillance sta-
havior of the hazardous substance and its
tions and procedures.
container, the types of hazardous substance
(G) Review of the expected hazards includ-
transportation containers and vehicles, the ing fire and explosions hazards, confined
types and selection of the appropriate defen- space hazards, electrical hazards, powered
sive strategy for containing the release. equipment hazards, motor vehicle hazards,
(D) Review of procedures for implementing and walking-working surface hazards.
continuing response actions consistent with (H) Awareness and knowledge of the com-
the local emergency response plan, the orga- petencies for the Hazardous Materials Tech-
nization’s standard operating procedures, nician covered in the National Fire Protec-
and the current edition of DOT’s ERG in- tion Association’s Standard No. 472, Profes-
cluding extended emergency notification sional Competence of Responders to Hazardous
procedures and follow-up communications. Materials Incidents.
(E) Review of the principles and practice (4) Hazardous materials specialist.
for proper selection and use of personal pro- (A) Review of and demonstration of com-
tective equipment. petency in performing the applicable skills
(F) Review of the principles and practice of of 29 CFR 1910.120(q).
personnel and equipment decontamination. (B) Hands-on experience with retrieval and
(G) Review of the expected hazards includ- use of written and electronic information
ing fire and explosions hazards, confined relative to response decision making includ-
space hazards, electrical hazards, powered ing but not limited to the U.S. Department
equipment hazards, motor vehicle hazards, of Transportation’s Emergency Response
and walking-working surface hazards. Guidebook (ERG), manufacturer material
(H) Awareness and knowledge of the com- safety data sheets, CHEMTREC/CANUTEC,
petencies for the First Responder at the Op- shipper or manufacturer contacts, computer
erations Level covered in the National Fire data bases and response models, and other
Protection Association’s Standard No. 472, relevant sources of information addressing
Professional Competence of Responders to Haz- hazardous substance releases. Familiariza-
ardous Materials Incidents. tion with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1201.
(3) Hazardous materials technician. (C) Review of the principles and practices
(A) Review of and demonstration of com- for analyzing an incident to determine the
petency in performing the applicable skills hazardous substances present, their physical
of 29 CFR 1910.120(q). and chemical properties, and the likely be-
(B) Hands-on experience with written and havior of the hazardous substance and its
electronic information relative to response container, vessel, or vehicle.
decision making including but not limited to (D) Review of the principles and practices
the U.S. Department of Transportation’s for identification of the types of hazardous
Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), manu- substance transportation containers, vessels
facturer material safety data sheets, and vehicles involved in the release; select-
CHEMTREC/CANUTEC, shipper or manufac- ing and using the various types of equipment
turer contacts, computer data bases and re- available for plugging or patching transpor-
sponse models, and other relevant sources of tation containers, vessels or vehicles; orga-
information addressing hazardous substance nizing and directing the use of multiple
409
teams of hazardous material technicians and (D) Ability to evaluate the progress of the
selecting the appropriate strategy for ap- emergency response to ensure that the re-
proaching release sites and containing or sponse objectives are being met safely, effec-
stopping the release. tively, and efficiently.
(E) Review of procedures for implementing (E) Ability to adjust the response plan to
continuing response actions consistent with the conditions of the response and to notify
the local emergency response plan, the orga- higher levels of response when required by
nization’s standard operating procedures, in- the changes to the response plan.
cluding knowledge of the available public
[54 FR 9317, Mar. 6, 1989, as amended at 55 FR
and private response resources, establish-
14073, Apr. 13, 1990; 56 FR 15832, Apr. 18, 1991;
ment of an incident command post, direction
59 FR 43270, Aug. 22, 1994; 61 FR 9238, Mar. 7,
of hazardous material technician teams, and
1996; 67 FR 67964, Nov. 7, 2002; 71 FR 16672,
extended emergency notification procedures
Apr. 3, 2006]
and follow-up communications.
(F) Review of the principles and practice
for proper selection and use of personal pro-
§ 1910.121 [Reserved]
tective equipment.
(G) Review of the principles and practices
DIPPING AND COATING OPERATIONS
of establishing exposure zones and proper de-
contamination, monitoring and medical sur- SOURCE: 64 FR 13909, Mar. 23, 1999, unless
veillance stations and procedures. otherwise noted.
(H) Review of the expected hazards includ-
ing fire and explosions hazards, confined § 1910.122 Table of contents.
space hazards, electrical hazards, powered This section lists the paragraph
equipment hazards, motor vehicle hazards, headings contained in §§ 1910.123
and walking-working surface hazards.
(I) Awareness and knowledge of the com-
through 1910.126.
petencies for the Off-site Specialist Em- § 1910.123 Dipping and coating operations:
ployee covered in the National Fire Protec- Coverage and definitions.
tion Association’s Standard No. 472, Profes-
sional Competence of Responders to Hazardous (a) Does this rule apply to me?
Materials Incidents. (b) What operations are covered?
(5) Incident commander. (c) What operations are not covered?
The incident commander is the individual (d) How are terms used in §§ 1910.123
who, at any one time, is responsible for and through 1910.126 defined?
in control of the response effort. This indi-
§ 1910.124 General requirements for dipping and
vidual is the person responsible for the direc-
coating operations.
tion and coordination of the response effort.
An incident commander’s position should be (a) What construction requirements apply
occupied by the most senior, appropriately to dip tanks?
trained individual present at the response (b) What ventilation requirements apply to
site. Yet, as necessary and appropriate by vapor areas?
the level of response provided, the position (c) What requirements must I follow to re-
may be occupied by many individuals during circulate exhaust air into the workplace?
a particular response as the need for greater (d) What must I do when I use an exhaust
authority, responsibility, or training in- hood?
creases. It is possible for the first responder (e) What requirements must I follow when
at the awareness level to assume the duties an employee enters a dip tank?
of incident commander until a more senior (f) What first-aid procedures must my em-
and appropriately trained individual arrives ployees know?
at the response site. (g) What hygiene facilities must I provide?
Therefore, any emergency responder ex- (h) What treatment and first aid must I
pected to perform as an incident commander provide?
should be trained to fulfill the obligations of (i) What must I do before an employee
the position at the level of response they will cleans a dip tank?
be providing including the following: (j) What must I do to inspect and maintain
(A) Ability to analyze a hazardous sub- my dipping or coating operation?
stance incident to determine the magnitude
§ 1910.125 Additional requirements for dipping
of the response problem.
(B) Ability to plan and implement an ap- and coating operations that use flammable or
propriate response plan within the capabili- combustible liquids.
ties of available personnel and equipment. (a) What type of construction material
(C) Ability to implement a response to fa- must be used in making my dip tank?
vorably change the outcome of the incident (b) When must I provide overflow piping?
in a manner consistent with the local emer- (c) When must I provide a bottom drain?
gency response plan and the organization’s (d) When must my conveyer system shut
standard operating procedures. down automatically?
410

CFR 2009 Title29 Vol5 Sec1910 120

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CFR 2009 Title29 Vol5 Sec1910 120

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

§ 1910.120 29 CFR Ch.

XVII (7–1–09 Edition)

who are required by the EPA or state agency

substance. Responses to incidental re- rectly by ingestion through food

mutation, physiological malfunctions Permissible exposure limit means the

piratory protection must be provided. Uncontrolled hazardous waste site,

state, local or other where an accumu- to prevent accidental collapse in ac-

toring, personnel monitoring, and envi- entry by a qualified person in order to

entry, a more detailed evaluation of permissible exposure limits and pub-

copy of the certification or documenta- (C) At termination of employment or

quire further examination or treat- (ii) Whenever engineering controls

practices and PPE shall be used to re- (iv) Totally-encapsulating chemical

the manufacturer of a piece of equip- sure limits or published exposure levels

sibility of an IDLH condition or flam- gree of exposure likely as a result of

(A) Site topography, layout, and pre- TABLE H–120.1—MINIMUM ILLUMINATION

Foot- 20 or fewer ............................. One.

areas. (Exception: Minimum of 10 foot-candles is vided with a sanitary sewer shall be

employees involved in hazardous waste initial training shall be for 24 hours

first, have sufficient awareness training to

(5) Specialist employees. Employees Transportation’s Emergency Response

the first responder awareness indi- in order to plug, patch or otherwise

unknown materials by using advanced are to teach.

shall receive annual refresher training tective equipment and decontamina-

1910.134, 1910.1200, and other appro- 3.0—Summary of test method

respirators are met.

tion or decontamination zone, work or hot spilled material.

tion, a minimum of 25 questions should be any, should be documented, approved, and

lowing topics or procedures: (11) Proper use and limitations of material

as appropriate. (7) Elements of the site emergency re-

You might also like